Checklists Quote by Leana S. Wen
“In my work as an emergency physician, I know that checklists can be helpful. They ensure complex procedures are done thoroughly and provide an extra assurance for safety. But they can also result in a 'cookbook' approach, where you get the same recipe of tests and medications as everyone else.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Healthcare Safety Podcast, 2021
Checklists improve consistency and safety but risk reducing clinical flexibility into
In simple terms: Checklists help but can limit creativity
Key Takeaway
Balance structure with judgment
Themes
patient safety
clinical judgment
standardization
Mood
cautious
pragmatic
Type
advisory
reflective
When to use this quote
- surgery
- emergency department
- training
- protocol development
Key Concepts
Systems thinking
human factors
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we keep flexibility while using checklists?
- When should a clinician deviate from a protocol?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance may cause blind spots in unique cases
