There most certainly is a ´drill´ in many medical settings nowadays.
Google ´medical protocol´ and you´ll see what I mean.

Standardized diagnosing, standardized treatment; it´s all here and causes many medical veterans to decry cookbook medicine.

Checklists are a good thing, but just like in the cockpit, it takes training, experience and intrinsic airmanship/doctorhood to know when it is imperative to deviate from the SOP.

The reality of-course, is that a well constructed checklist frees up an experts mental capacity to do the clever stuff - whether that's judging the best approach to a landing in marginal conditions, or deciding how much tissue to cut out around a tumour.

G

Checklist use
 

Just a topical aside but wouldnt it be great if checklists were used in Formula 1?

Things like checking engine covers are removed so your engine doesnt blow on the 3rd lap at Monaco completely wrecking any chances of keeping the no 1 position in the championship. :ugh: :{

Formula 1 and Healthcare
 

Some years ago I believe Great Ormond St Children's Hospital looked into what could be learnt regarding teamwork with one of the F1 terms.
Mr B

Ahhh checklist- when is a checklist not a checklist?

MEL is a checklist and one aspect of OR/operating theatres is minimum equipment checklists. So far so good.

Is the World Health Organisation checklist a checklist? it has some aspects which are, but mostly its a permit to work document. It takes a few seconds to "time out" and ensure that the operation that the surgeon planned is the same one which the staff are preparing for. Basic stuff but Ive left out the part of the document which concerns anaesthesia as that is a distinct discipline. It covers aspects of the patient's general condition which may not be important but may be extremely important. Allergy information for instance. Most allergic reactions are irritating but some can kill, and quickly. The WHO checklist is often the final control measure before surgery.

I have tried to form an analogy from air traffic control to surgical staff. Until the permission to go (operate or take off) is given then nothing should happen.