Learning from others: Why safety checklists are imperative in the OR

US Airways Flight 1529 took off from LaGuardia and wound up in the Hudson River 5 minutes later. All crew members and passengers were safely evacuated. How?

Training, leadership, communications practices, and…safety checklists. Of course, it’s more complicated, but these core components enabled talented personnel to avoid a nearly catastrophic incident.

What if we approached our huddles, briefings, timeouts, and debriefings with the same rigor as the aviation industry? Could we avoid some of the tragedies that happen in our operating rooms (ORs)?

Although personnel are well-trained to deliver medical care, frequently surgical team members feel afraid to speak up when they have concerns. With some slight adjustments—and a little help from technology—OR safety could be enhanced exponentially.

Read the full article on American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association.