The problem with checklists

Lost information during the handover of critically injured trauma patients: a mixed-methods study

“…Other studies have demonstrated that successful use of checklists may simply reflect effective and complex local culture change in processes of care and a culture of safety 33 34. Thought leaders in the patient safety field have also called for caution in viewing checklists as a panacea for rectifying errors in communication and threats to patient safety 35 36. In fact, since the completion of this study, a trauma care checklist has been piloted in our institution, with significant barrier to use and implementation, due to challenges similar to those highlighted in this study 37.…”

Improving specialist palliative care in residential care for older people: a checklist to guide practice

“…Checklists have been criticised, for their apparent simplicity in not adequately representing complex clinical scenarios 15. Palliative care needs rounds have only been assessed when supported by a specialist palliative care nurse practitioner who also provides clinical care and can prescribe.…”

“…They are used to improve mortality and morbidity outcomes across clinical settings14 and operate as tools to help identify tasks and elicit improvement in addressing complex challenges and optimising the safety and quality of care for patients 15…”

The Checklist: Recognize Limits, but Harness Its Power

“…35 Absent attention to those sociocultural necessities, the work culture does not translate checklist expectations into work performance standards, 42 and neither staff nor their work unit makes the investment needed to achieve successful outcomes. 43 Lack of buy in, particularly among senior physicians, remains an obstacle to success of these programs. 44 Other analyses of WHO surgical checklist reports implemented across hospitals in England reinforce the pivotal role that specifi c cultural factors play in program success.…”