Come Quote by Atul Gawande
“You know, 97 percent of the time, if you come into a hospital, everything goes well. But three percent of the time, we have major complications.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: “The Checklist Manifesto” podcast, 2010
Most medical procedures succeed, but a small fraction result in serious complications, highlighting the need for vigilance and systematic safety checks.
In simple terms: Hospitals usually work well, but rare serious complications occur.
Key Takeaway
Implement systematic safety protocols.
Themes
medicine
risk management
patient safety
process improvement
Mood
cautious
optimistic
Type
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- surgical procedures
- patient admissions
- post‑operative care
- clinical training
Key Concepts
probability
error reduction
systems thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teams ensure safety without creating bureaucracy?
- What barriers prevent adoption of checklists?
A Different Perspective
Even with checks, human error and unforeseen factors can still cause harm.
