OverRun
3rd Mar 2006, 00:21
A colleague sent me this paper which is fascinating reading.
Summary points: In aviation, accidents are usually highly visible, and as a result aviation has developed standardised methods of investigating, documenting, and disseminating errors and their lessons. Although operating theatres are not cockpits, medicine could learn from aviation. Observation of flights in operation has identified failures of compliance, communication, procedures, proficiency, and decision making in contributing to errors. Surveys in operating theatres have confirmed that pilots and doctors have common interpersonal problem areas and similarities in professional culture. Accepting the inevitability of error and the importance of reliable data on error and its management will allow systematic efforts to reduce the frequency and severity of adverse events.
BMJ 2000;320:781-785 (18 March 2006) On error management: lessons from aviation. Robert L Helmreich
Just in case you're not a subscriber to the British Medical Journal, click here (http://www.geocities.com/profemery/Error_paper.pdf)
Summary points: In aviation, accidents are usually highly visible, and as a result aviation has developed standardised methods of investigating, documenting, and disseminating errors and their lessons. Although operating theatres are not cockpits, medicine could learn from aviation. Observation of flights in operation has identified failures of compliance, communication, procedures, proficiency, and decision making in contributing to errors. Surveys in operating theatres have confirmed that pilots and doctors have common interpersonal problem areas and similarities in professional culture. Accepting the inevitability of error and the importance of reliable data on error and its management will allow systematic efforts to reduce the frequency and severity of adverse events.
BMJ 2000;320:781-785 (18 March 2006) On error management: lessons from aviation. Robert L Helmreich
Just in case you're not a subscriber to the British Medical Journal, click here (http://www.geocities.com/profemery/Error_paper.pdf)