Hospitals turn to aviation for improved safety

Hospitals can improve the quality of healthcare and save lives by adopting certain aviation safety measures, according to a Commonwealth Fund-supported study. The study identifies 15 safety practices not regularly used in healthcare such as the "sterile cockpit rule," which reduces unnecessary distractions during critical activities, and the "first-name-only rule," which promotes a work environment where healthcare workers feel comfortable questioning one another. But before implementing theses initiative, hospitals must assess their cost-effectiveness, note the authors. Study (.pdf)