Oops! Why Things Go Wrong

Niall Downey, a cardio-thoracic surgeon who retrained as a commercial airline pilot uses his expertise in healthcare and aviation to explore the critical issue of managing human error. With examples from business, politics, sport, technology, finance, education and other fields, Downey makes a powerful case that by following some clear guidelines, any organisation can greatly reduce the incidence and impact of making serious mistakes. While acknowledging that in our fast paced world, getting things wrong is impossible to avoid, Downey offers a strategy based on current best practice that can make a massive difference. He concludes with an aviation-style Safety Management System that can be hugely beneficial in preventing avoidable catastrophes from occurring. An acknowledged expert in error management, Niall advises governments, healthcare organisations and major corporations on how to develop a systemic approach to controlling for human imperfection. Arguing that prevention is far preferable to denying responsibility after the fact, he gave an influential TEDx talk in 2016 outlining how healthcare could use aviation's experience to reduce tragic outcomes and improve patient safety. 'Niall Downey is perhaps the only person in the world who could write this important new book...an owner's manual on how to work, live and play safer by knowing how and why errors happen.'Dr Brian Goldman MDMount Sinai Hospital, Toronto and author of 'The Secret Language of Doctors'. We so often sleepwalk through life, assuming the systems around us work for the best. Being attentive to human error not only wakes us from that stupor, but makes us realise the ways in which we can be attentive to our own mistakes. As relevant to big business, industry and elite sport as it is to the individual, error management and how to be alert to it, is such an important conversation to be had in all walks of life. Niall's vast experience and curiosity for the world, make him the perfect person to write this book. Ms Orla ChennaouiWriter, journalist, columnist, TV presenter and Lead Presenter for Eurosport's cycling coverage. Niall takes the reader on a fascinating journey through a condition we all suffer from, human error. From sport and surgery to aviation and agriculture, this book details both the unfortunate and the catastrophic, why error happens and, most importantly, what we can do about it' Mark Gallagher, Formula 1 Executive, writer, broadcaster. Author of 'The Business of Winning Strategic Success from Formula One' In this book, Niall Downey takes a look at error through multiple lenses: from aviation to sport, justice to politics. As a surgeon-turned-pilot, Downey has skin in the game and he casts his net wide to find answers for why things go wrong. Dr Steven Shorrock C.ErgHFChartered Psychologist and Chartered Human Factors Specialist, Senior HF and Safety Specialist at Eurocontrol, Editor in Chief of Hindsight magazine. Adjunct Associate Professor University of the Sunshine Coast, Honorary Clinical Tutor University of EdinburghHuman connections are essential to delivering person-centred care and sometimes the care environment, culture or the way we do things creates harm. In healthcare this can be catastrophic - this book provides safety critical insights and methods to help eliminate avoidable harm. A must read for healthcare teams. Professor Charlotte McArdle DrSc MScDeputy Chief Nursing Officer NHS England. Former Chief Nursing Officer, Northern Ireland. "e;Oops! Why Things Go Wrong"e; is essential reading for every person who wants to improve their leadership and teamwork skills, be resilient and survive crises. Downey's remarkable and unique knowledge taken from years of experience commanding commercial airline cockpits and surgeries, puts you into the Captain's seat to maximise safety, quality and save lives."e;Captain Richard de Crespigny AM, Pilot-in-Command and author of QF32Retired Airbus A380 Captain, Qantas.