Checklists in emergency medicine

In terms of time and financial cost, the humble checklist is arguably one of the most effective methods of reducing medical error and improving performance under pressure. Checklists help to ensure all steps in a task are completed and they reduce stress prior to undertaking high-risk procedures. They improve teamwork effectiveness and reduce cognitive overload when patent deterioration or equipment failure occurs.

In 2008 WHO introduced the surgical safety checklist: this has become embedded internationally within safe theatre practice. These checklists have led to reductions in surgical errors, complications and death. They have also been associated with cost savings, improved communication within the operating team and improved attitudes and cultures regarding patient safety.1 Many will have read Atul Gawande's 'The Checklist Manifesto' which not only describes the successful development and introduction of preoperative surgical checklists but importantly also describes some of the barriers to the success of...

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