Debate over the effectiveness of surgical checklists in reducing medical mistakes

Following a study published earlier this year that questioned the effectiveness of surgical checklists in reducing the risk of medical mistakes, a debate has emerged within the medical community over the validity of the research and the push to require checklists at hospitals throughout the country.  For more on this story go to AboutLawsuits.

Meanwhile, over at FiveThirtyEight, there is a story discussing the risks and benefits of approaching medical decisions from a rules based decision making process, as opposed to the exercise of discretion.