Murtha (see below) death was surgeon slip-up

[Winston]

I remember reading an article about how using checklists, the way pilots do, has a huge impact on error rates in hospitals. So much so that it was clear that every hospital should be using them. I asked a friend who is an orthopedic surgeon if this was the case and he assured me it was, but I didn't believe him.

Not a comment on Murtha, but is a comment on human nature. Highly trained surgeons don't want to be made to look more like technicians, even if it makes surgery safer. At least in Murtha's case there will be some decent scrutiny, so we should get some conclusions from someone.


- Winston