[Brian in VA]

jsveb, I will look into crew coordination, that is interesting. Studies have shown in the OR that if each person present identifies him/herself by saying their name out loud they are more likely to speak up if they notice a problem and complications go down.

Everywhere I've been uses the "time out" (pt name, birthdate, mrn, allergies, surgeon, procedure, preop abx, images, special equipment) but also the World Health Org has put together a check list that they showed reduced morbidity by almost 30%. These things are not nearly as complex as the lists in the links above. I think the key is getting the whole team focused on the case at hand but my suspicion is it isn't very well done most of the time.

Again, thanks for the input. What's available via google etc isn't always the real thing.

edit: wow there is an Intl Journal of Aviation Psychology