Atul Gawande is a surgeon who is tormented by sloppy systems. Gawande cites dozens of examples where a simple checklist can improve the operations of any organization. Given his medical background, Gawande provides plenty of stories where checklists saved lives and money in hospitals. But Gawande also has dipped into other areas where checklists are considered essential: for pilots flying Boeing’s planes and for investors considering buying stocks. The human memory is fallible. Sometimes we think we did something when we didn’t. Checklists catch those errors and correct them. Our lives are becoming more complicated. Checklists are a handy device to help us keep control. GRADE: B+
I’m an avid list-maker so agree whole-heartedly with Gawande’s recommendation–even if my checklists are more about picking up dry cleaning and dropping off library books than saving lives. However, not to be a pessimist, but it’s been my experience that the people who would be most helped by using checklists are those least likely to do so.
I’m a lister-maker, too, Deb. Gawande’s notion is that lists enforce order on our chaotic lives. You’re right about the people who need lists most are likely to ignore them. But Gawande argues that in an institutional setting, lists give you a paper trail to find out who “forgot” to do something essential on the list. That way, they can be retrained or moved out. You don’t want surgical instruments left in your body after an operation (nor would I!).
I only make a list when some big project faces me but I can see his point about a lot of things. A check list before going to a doctor makes a lot of sense.
I used to make lists of projects, but I’ve had to expand my list-making to some things as mundane as a list of my daily medicine, Patti. Things can get hectic around here and I sometimes think I’ve taken my pills when I haven’t. A check-off list is a must for me now.
I have always been a list maker as well. We travel pretty often as you know and are always trying to make sure we don’t forget anthing essential. (We usually end up forgetting something small that Jackie has to replace, like a nail file or – most recently – a shower cap.)
Last week on GREY’S ANATOMY they stopped closing up a patient after surgery because there was one sponge missing from their count.
Exactly, Jeff. I wouldn’t want that “missing” sponge ending up in me! Lists are a control technique that keeps things manageable. Disorganization results in more problems. It just snowballs.
Judy and I both make lists. Often we forget where we put them.
Diane and I know that “where did I put that list” feeling all too well, Bill.
I’ve always made lists of books I want to read, movies I want to see, etc. going back to when I was a kid. I have databases of every book I’ve read, shows seen, restaurants eaten at, etc. since 1975, with partial lists to 1971.
Lists are fun! You can look back and see exactly what you were doing at any specific time in the past.
I’ve kept track of the books I’ve read as soon as I learned Microsoft ACCESS back in the Nineties, Jeff. I know Art Scott keeps a list (and reviews) of all the classical performances he attends. Of course, we know the King of Lists is Marv Lachman.
My name is Beth and I’m a list-maker – books I’ve read, books I have, books I want to have/read, yearly projects around the house, daily errands to run. I remember Gary Niebuhr having an epiphany when he realized he was doing as much or more organizing his stuff than actually using it. There’s just something so fulfilling about a list, though, that I can’t quit it.
I’m hopeless with grocery lists. They’re usually still on the kitchen counter when I’m behind the cart in the grocery store.
Diane and I are big grocery-Sam’s Club-BJ’s Warehouse-Wal-Mart-Target-Best Buy list-makers, Beth. We “build” a list for a week or so, adding items to the list as we think of them. And, before we leave for the stores, Diane always asks, “Do you have the list?”
I make and maintain some lists, especially my catalogs of books owned, one for each genre. Also I have a list of books read (with a simple 1-5 rating), going back to the mid-80s, a catalog of DVDs, CDs, videos, music owned and so forth. As far as tasks, I make an occasional list but do so a lot less since I retired. And of course shopping lists and some “to do” lists. Still, I don’t overdo it, like I once did. Oh and George, I use one of those week-long pill boxes and fill it up every Sunday, so all I have to do is check the box for that AM or PM to see if I remembered the pills. Tres easy!
I may have to resort to one of those pill containers, too, Rick. Except I’ll need the King Kong size.
Ah yes, the pills. So far we get by because every morning when I get up I take out all the vitamins and each of our pills. There are only a couple of things we have to take later in the day. But I agree it’s easy to forget.
I have to take medications at certain times of the day so it becomes doubly important to me to keep track of what meds I’ve taken and which one’s I need to take next, Jeff.
Thanks, Kelley, you stole my Lachman reference. Hmmph! Seriously, I just made lists of all my model kits: those I already had, those I recently bought, and the bird kits. I also list the books I read each year. I occasionally make to-do lists, but not often. Like Bill, I forget where they are.
When the B-17 bomber was being tested, it crashed. It was discovered the rear wheel was left locked in. This tragedy started pre-flight checklists that are still in use today.
Gawande uses that B-17 example in THE CHECKLIST MANIFESTO, Bob. I remember your yearly reading lists when DAPA-EM was still around.
Maybe that wheel on the B-17 was left unlocked. Whichever it was, it created the pre-flight checklist. I also had to use lists to prep aircraft for loading in my final USAF job. When I pointde out a flaw in the system I was ignored.
I don’t see how anyone could ignore you, Bob!
“pointed,” not “pointde.”