This piece discusses significant advancements and ongoing challenges in anesthesia and perioperative medicine.

Our guest shares his journey from his training days at the University of Basel to his influential work in patient safety across Europe; including pioneering efforts with incident reporting and simulation training inspired by collaborations with NASA.

The conversation delves into the evolution of safety practices, the emphasis on human factors over technological advancements, and the complexities of teamwork and communication in the operating room. They explore the importance of standardized procedures, the necessity of adaptability in unstandardized situations, and the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing patient outcomes.

We mention the Helsinki Decleration on Patient Safety in Anasethesiology (link below) and touch on the dissemination and integration of safety principles, the financial implications of quality and safety issues in hospitals, and the future direction of patient safety initiatives, emphasizing the need for continued investment in training and teamwork.

Presented by Desiree Chappell with her guest, Sven Stander, Senior leading physician in Intensive Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Intensive Care, Anesthesiology at The University of Zurich.

Link to the Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safey in Anaesthesiology is here: https://esaic.org/patient-safety/helsinki-declaration-on-patient-safety-in-anaesthesiology/