The Checklist Manifesto - Atul Gawande

The Checklist Manifesto

By Atul Gawande

  • Release Date: 2010-04-01
  • Genre: Medical
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 578 Ratings)

Description

The New York Times bestselling author of Being Mortal and Complications reveals the surprising power of the ordinary checklist

We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies—neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the U.S. Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple ninety-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third.

In riveting stories, Gawande takes us from Austria, where an emergency checklist saved a drowning victim who had spent half an hour underwater, to Michigan, where a cleanliness checklist in intensive care units virtually eliminated a type of deadly hospital infection. He explains how checklists actually work to prompt striking and immediate improvements. And he follows the checklist revolution into fields well beyond medicine, from disaster response to investment banking, skyscraper construction, and businesses of all kinds.

An intellectual adventure in which lives are lost and saved and one simple idea makes a tremendous difference, The Checklist Manifesto is essential reading for anyone working to get things right.

Reviews

  • Only examples on why

    1
    By rthaifa
    Not very practical. Yes checklists are important, but not much info on how to incorporate them.
  • Useful!

    5
    By Picky Piggy
    What I thought was a simple concept did ring true, but understanding the genesis and the positives and pitfalls of checklists was fascinating. I took away useful tools for my own business. It really gives the reader a 360 view of this simple, yet amazing tool.
  • Great concept

    5
    By archilny
    Easy and fun read.
  • Better than I thought it would be!

    5
    By ToastaBredz
    I was pleasantly surprised with how practical and interesting I found this book. It dragged on towards the end a bit but overall was well done and worth the several hours I spent reading it.
  • Great!

    5
    By Steve7782
    Excellent book.
  • Why No Checklist

    4
    By Mbkrt
    This is an excellent book, but it is missing one key element. Why doesn't a book about the power of checklists contain a checklist for creating checklists?
  • Checklist Manifesto

    5
    By Willizgus
    A very candid and well written case for why professionals should set aside pride, and develop and use checklists. James Kelly, Esq.
  • The Checklist Manifesto

    5
    By Dhruv Petal
    Nice summer read! I strongly recommend this book to people who are organized and love biomedical sciences.
  • Great easy read

    5
    By Wiz101830
    As a medical professional I am well aware of the potential for mistakes. This book only reinforces the fact that a team approach is the best way to take care of patients.
  • Great Read

    5
    By Vespertinas
    Gawande writes in a way that I found incredibly easy to digest. His pace is perfect- he mixes stories, facts and insight with timing that never leaves you bored.

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