Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Crew resource management is a technique used in aviation to address problems related to how effectively people work together to reduce errors.A catastrophic collision of two jets in 1977 was part of the impetus to develop methods to prevent similar disasters.Many healthcare enterprises are using crew resource management to reduce human error in the perioperative period.This article describes a multidisciplinary perioperative program initiated at two medical centers, one at a tertiary care hospital and the other at a community hospital affiliated with a medical school.Instructions were given by means of team building exercises, open forums, and video.As a part of the program, a preoperative checklist was instituted.This checklist included what was considered "killer items," that is, tasks that needed to be performed to prevent errors and minimize complications.On the list were, among other things, the site and type of surgery, whether antibiotics had been given, and the status of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis.Use of the checklist was monitored, along with acceptance.Initially, surgeons were resistant but the circulating nurses and scrub technician or nurse were empowered to not assist the surgeon until the checklist was completed.Compliance and acceptance increased, especially as errors began to be identified, such as when antibiotics were not given or a vital piece of equipment was not present.Personnel involved felt more comfortable reporting errors and perceived incompetence during the course of the crew resource management program.Personal behavior can be influenced by such a program although the demonstration that errors are prevented and complications reduced might take years to come to full fruition.
Source: Anesthesiology
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4235007262