New study questions whether surgical checklist procedures reduce risks

The use of surgical checklists has become a growing practice in many hospitals, and many have suggested their adoption as a way to reduce the risk of complications and medical mistakes.  Unfortunately, according to AboutLawsuits.com a new study is questioning the effectiveness of the procedure, finding that the use of surgical checklists failed to improve outcomes.  Go here for the full story.

It seems to me that if you are looking for the use of checklists to eliminate the risks or to completely prevent mistakes, you are going to be disappointed.  Obviously, there will always be risks and possible mistakes.  The question is whether the procedure reduces the risks.

Studies like this new one are important, not to discourage the use of checklist procedures but to discourage legislatures from listening to proposals to immunize tortfeasors if they comply with the checklists.