Tag: Mistake-Proofing

Mistake-Proofing, Learning from Errors, and Safer Systems

Mistake-proofing is not about blaming people or demanding perfection. It’s about designing systems that make errors less likely and make problems visible when they occur. This archive explores mistake-proofing as a leadership and system responsibility—across healthcare, aviation, manufacturing, and everyday work.

Through real-world examples, these posts show why signs, reminders, and “be careful” messages fail—and how better process design, learning, and respect for people lead to safer, more reliable outcomes.

A Defect in My Morning Coffee Routine

7
I could have also titled this post "I screwed up!" or "Who Screwed Up? Me!" but we try not to point the finger...

Do you "Embrace your Misses?"

1
Another great thought from David Mann this week was highlighting how a Lean culture will "embrace it's misses" rather than try to cover them...

What Will You Do Differently Today?

4
By Dan MarkovitzBack in October, Lifehacker ran a lengthy article on "personal kaizen." The thrust of the piece is how we can improve...

Standardizing the Standards

0
Hospitals try to reduce wristband code risksTo put this in manufacturing terms, imagine how you might have to change your process if your product...

Remote Control Error Proofing

1
Here's another example of "Everyday Error Proofing' courtesy of the new cable box from my cable company (part of the federally mandated transition to...

Another Drug Error Waiting to Happen?

1
Hazard Warning - Brethine and Methergine mix-upsCan you tell the difference between these two drugs? You can even click on each photo for...

2,000 vs. 2: What Andon Cord Pulls Reveal About Toyota and...

4
tl;dr: The andon cord isn't a tool--it's a trust signal. Toyota's thousands of line stops reflect psychological safety and leadership support. Ford's rare pulls...

Error Proofing Your Meetings

0
By Dan Markovitz Sometimes it's hard to spot errors in an office, much less error-proof the workspace. With so many value streams...

More Education or a Better Process??

0
Fatal Dose: Ohio Girl is Killed By Medical MistakeHere is a sad story of a girl's death due to a hospital pharmacy mistake. ...

A Hospital Death in Florida

5
Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog: A woman dies after receiving 8 grams of DilantinI read about this on the blog linked above and the...

"Be Careful" is Not Enough

2
I was boarding an American Airlines Super 80 at DFW yesterday, I noticed a warning sign on the controls of the jet bridge. As...

Signs are Not Error Proofing: Electrical Circuit Breaker Edition

5
I saw this at a hospital lab last year, a great example of true error proofing vs. just putting up warning signs. "Cautions" and...
An AI that won't just give you the answer. That's what makes it useful.Free Demo -- Learn More
+ +