Safety Lessons from Aviation

This article reviews the changes in safety that have evolved over the past thirty years in the world of commercial aviation. The author notes that in his early flying days, aircraft accidents were not unusual, flying was seen as a risky business and those who took part, either as a provider or passenger, appeared grudgingly willing to accept the hazards involved. Reductions in the level of risk were sought in technological advances, greater knowledge of physics and science, and access to higher levels of skill through simulation, practice and experience. However, while these measures did have an impact, the expected safety dividend was not realized. The most experienced, technically competent individuals with the best equipment still featured far too regularly in the accident statistics. The author explores the concept of human factors, the impact of flaws or characteristics of the human condition, as a crucial safety tool in aviation. The author then describes how these human factors lessons learned in the field of aviation can be transferred to the healthcare industry, to improve safety for both physicians and patients alike. The author concludes that improving safety forms part of a virtuous spiral in which decreased stress leads to less challenging behavior which, in turn, makes other beneficial changes possible.

• Authors:
  • Higton, Phil
• Publication Date: 2005-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 191-193
• Serial:
  • Perfusion
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Edward Arnold Publishers Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aviation safety; Behavior modification; Civil aviation; Health care; Human factors engineering; Human factors in crashes; Risk management; Technology
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01042716
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 1 2007 8:40AM