Steve Wilkinson, who has 28 years of experience flying with Northwest Airlines, and Steve Montoya, MD, realized the airline and healthcare industries share many similarities, including the high-risk and high-stress nature of their responsibilities. Both industries also rely on teamwork but often engage in a “captain is always right” mindset that can pose major risks to passengers and patients alike, according to the report.
Through their company Medical Management Resources, Mr. Wilkinson and Dr. Montoya seek to transfer aviation safety lessons to healthcare providers. Part of that training includes physicians encouraging staff members to give feedback. Similarly, staff members are encouraged to communicate their questions and concerns.
CEO of University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Kathy Silver, vouches for the important lessons that have been taught to her own hospital’s employees. “The nurses got to see the physicians as team members and colleagues and vice versa,” Ms. Silver said in the report. “It broke down some of those barriers of ‘I’m the boss and you’re the nurse.’ It was very helpful.”
Read the news report about aviation lessons in hospital ORs.
Read other coverage about OR efficiency:
– OR Air Quality Affected by number of Healthcare Personnel, Other Factors
– Technology Could Reduce OR Surgery Times, Risk of Infection
– 5 Common Mistakes Affecting Hospital ORs
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