Checks Cheeky Checklists Chat

Dr. Atul Gawande appeared on The Daily Show last week talking about his new book, “The Checklist Manifesto,” detailing how pre-procedure checklists can save lives and money.

When told of the number of medical errors and infections that kill people every year, Jon Stewart appropriately asks “What if we called hospital infections terrorists?” Gawande explains that macho surgeons don’t like admitting that they might need a list, but Stewart reminded him that even Han Solo and Chewbacca used a checklist when preparing to fly through hyperspace.

Despite ample evidence that checklists are critical for patient safety, their adoption is still dangerously slow. If they won’t do it voluntarily, then government must step in. HCFA and our Consumer Health Quality Council continue to advocate for legislation requiring the use of checklists in Massachusetts hospitals. Call your legislator to support this bill, and learn more on the HCFA quality legislation website, www.hcfama.org/quality/priorities.
-Deborah W. Wachenheim