Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The checklist Manifesto - Atul Gawande

subtitle - How to Get Things Right

What a delight!  A simple idea applied to complex specialized areas works wonders.  The author has written previously with clarity on complex topics.  This time he provides examples to support his idea that the use of checklists in professional, complex situations improve outcomes.  Some quotes:

P. 13 -...the volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefits correctly, safely, or reliably.  Knowledge has both saved us and burdened us.

p. 73 - The philosophy is that you push the power of decision making out to the periphery and away from the center.  You give people the room to adapt, based on their experience and expertise.

p. 79 ...under conditions of true complexity...efforts to dictate every step from the center will fail [Katrina example]

p. 79 - ...checklists..check to ensure the stupid but critical stuff is not overlooked...another set ...to ensure people talk and coordinate and accept responsiblity

p. 123 DO-CONFIRM checklist or READ-DO checklist

p. 175 - ..[pilots] they adhere to a strict discipline - the kind most other professions avoid

Definitely food for thought for healthcare and government!

published: 2009  Read: 1/2012  Category: Non-fiction

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