Book excerpt: Building a High-Reliability Organization: A Toolkit for Success Gary Sculli, RN, MSN, ATP Douglas E. Paull, MD, FACS, FCCP, CHSE Building a High-Reliability Organization: A Toolkit for Success is a practical guide to becoming a high-reliability organization (HRO). HROs practice the highest standards of patient quality and prevent never events before they occur. In this first-of-its-kind book, written for real-world healthcare professionals on the front lines of patient safety, authors Gary L. Sculli, RN, MSN, ATP, and Douglas E. Paull, MD, FACS, FCCP, CHSE, take the concept of an HRO and break down what it means at the point of care. Through step-by-step instructions and a practical, straightforward approach, they demonstrate how your organization can ensure safe patient care, every day, for every patient. After reading this book, you will: Possess a clear understanding of what constitutes high-reliability healthcare Be able to promote evidence-based, reliable methods to improve safety, including team training, fatigue management systems, and investment in patient safety infrastructure and technology Understand which elements and behaviors must be included in an overall plan to achieve high reliability at the front lines of care Become a transformational leader in your healthcare organization Be able to apply the principles of a fair and just culture to promote the reporting, discussion, and disclosure of adverse events Table of Contents: Preface and Precepts Chapter 1: Situational Awareness Is Fundamental to High Reliability Chapter 2: Situational Awareness Countermeasures Chapter 3: Everyone on the Same Sheet of Music Chapter 4: Yes--You Need to Use the Checklist! Chapter 5: Preoccupation With Failure--It's an Attitude Chapter 6: Recognizing That the Expert Is Not Always the Person in Charge Chapter 7: Lab Coats and Scrubs, Meet Suits and Ties--Sensitivity to Frontline Operations Chapter 8: Just Response to Human Error: A Necessary Component of High-Reliability Organizations Chapter 9: Standardize Communication and Processes to Create Equivalent Actors Chapter 10: Ensuring Technical and Non-Technical Competence