Medical error is third biggest cause of death in the US, experts say

Re:Medical error is third biggest cause of death in the US, ... by kevan on Wednesday May 04, 2016 @03:03PM (#11630790)

A fundamental difference between medicine and flight is motivation. When pilots screw up they die, when doctors screw up, someone else dies. Medicine idolizes heroes, a single doctor doing everything and saving the day. In air travel the heroes tend to die. The origin of the airline checklist is when Major Ployer P. Hill, one of the best test pilots in the Army, forgot to release the elevator lock on a B-17 prototype before takeoff and died as a result.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Medical error is third biggest cause of death in the US, ... by peckrob on Wednesday May 04, 2016 @03:23PM (#11630971)

I don't disagree. Aviation generally has a safety conscious culture, which is easy for pilots because we're putting our lives on the line each time we get in the cockpit. I like not dying, so I'm going to do all things I can to avoid screwing up. :)

Ironically, failing to release the gust lock was exactly what killed the pilot and passengers in the article I linked. Although like most crashes that was just the final result of a long string of failures.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Medical error is third biggest cause of death in the US, ... by ams6110 on Wednesday May 04, 2016 @10:51PM (#11633687)

When pilots screw up often dozens or hundreds of people die. Even the worst surgeon can't kill more than one patient per mistake.

[ Parent | on HN ]