The first day of the Telluride Experience provided me with great insight into the impact that medical errors can have on individuals. Errors become personal, and the impact that they can have on an individual can be relatively benign to catastrophic. I considered the importance of competent care, and the importance of personality traits to preventing medical errors. I relate medical errors to a lack of situational awareness, and how we as scientists struggle with confirmation bias. Furthermore, I have learned about the importance of strong communication skills, and the importance of accuracy with information, as well as being able to question certain ideas for the safety of the patient. At the end of the day, patient safety is not just an algorithm that is focused on eliminating errors, but character traits that embody the modern Hippocratic Oath as well as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice.
