The safe implementation of research into healthcare practice

Miscommunication, misunderstanding and outright error have all played significance roles in triggering Adverse Events across the spectrum of health care delivery. As a means of countering these effects this paper outlines a twin track approach. This firstly focuses on developing a care pathway modelling approach both as the basis for better understanding of interdisciplinary process interaction, and also as a means of rapid access to relevant clinical knowledge. This is then set in the context of the human behavioural issues that can all too easily prejudice patient safety. It also explores the potential to apply the large body of knowledge and experience in risk management techniques applied to life critical decision taking under high stress conditions.