The key to better safety and fewer accidents is managing the inevitable error. Aviation and other high-reliability organizations now manage (as healthcare is beginning to) these inevitable errors by doing two things:
1. Training teams to use specific teamwork and communication behaviors. (A crucial step often missed)
2. Implementing safety tools (e.g., procedures, protocols, checklists, etc.) that complement those behaviors to detect and trap small errors before they become serious or even fatal mistakes.