The WHO launched their "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" initiative in D.C. today; unfortunately, I was too busy learning the intricacies of Virginia's insurance system to be able to attend. To say that I love Atul Gawande would not be an entirely inaccurate, nor an entirely heterosexual, statement. If you haven't read Better or Complications, you really owe it to yourself to take some time at the B&N. One of my personal favorites is The Bell Curve, about cystic fibrosis and the egalitarian notion that all doctors are created equal (I don't want to ruin the ending for you--but they're not).
When Gawande was assigned to lead the WHO, I was ecstatic. I could hardly imagine what amazing solutions he would come up with--maybe some sort of box with mirrors. So after two years, what'd he get? A checklist[pdf]. In truth, I'm a little dissapointed. I guess when you win $500,000 you can start phoning it in.
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