Checklists and cognitive aids: underutilized and under-researched tools to promote patient safety and optimize clinician performance.

Purpose of review: Checklists and other cognitive aids serve multiple purposes in the peri-operative setting and have become nearly ubiquitous in healthcare. This review lays out the evidence for their use, shortcomings and pitfalls to be aware of, and how technology and innovation may improve checklist and cognitive aid relevance and usability.

Recent findings: It has been difficult to show a direct link between the use of checklists alone and patient outcomes, but simulation studies have repeatedly demonstrated an association between checklist or cognitive aid use and improved performance. When implemented as part of a bundle of interventions, checklists likely have a positive impact, but the benefit of checklists and other cognitive aids may be both context- and user dependent. Advances in technology and automation demonstrate promise, but usability, design, and implementation research in this area are necessary to maximize effectiveness.

Summary: Cognitive aids like checklists are powerful tools in the perioperative and critical care setting. Further research and innovation may elevate what is possible by improving the usability and relevance of these tools, possibly translating into improved patient outcomes.