New tool effectively identifies non-technical errors in surgery

A novel tool, SICNESS, has been developed to identify and categorize non-technical errors linked to surgical mortality. Validated through a two-pilot approach using 844 mortality cases from Australia and New Zealand, the tool demonstrated high inter-rater reliability, particularly in leadership and decision-making aspects. Its systematic application can help to retrospectively pinpoint these errors, enhancing surgical practices and potentially preventing future adverse events associated with poor non-technical skills.