Airway cognitive aids

algorithm checklist cognitive aid resources safety Dec 19, 2024

Brain 🧠 vs. Byte πŸ’»: The Difference Between Cognitive Aids and Algorithms

Cognitive aids and algorithms are resources used daily in the perioperative environment, but do you know what the differences are between them? Here, we explore the key differences between these tools, and what scenarios they are best utilised in:

πŸ“ Cognitive Aids:

A cognitive aid is a tool designed to help reduce the cognitive load of an individual in decision-making processes. It is an umbrella term for a variety of resources such as checklists, flowcharts, prompt tools and diagrams.

The purpose of a cognitive aid is to provide guidance, reminders, or prompts in decision-making, designed to enhance human judgment, but not replace it.

Cognitive aids rely on the individual for interpretation, application, and overall decision-making.

βœ… Examples of Cognitive Aids:

πŸ₯ Surgical safety checklist

πŸš‘ DRSABCD approach

πŸ› οΈ Emergency trolley checklists

πŸ“‹ ISBAR handover tool

βœ‹ Posters prompting hand hygiene!

πŸ€– Algorithms:

An algorithm is defined as a set of predefined rules or instructions designed to perform a specific task or solve a specific problem.
The purpose of an algorithm is to automate and streamline a process via a set of defined tasks or steps.
Design and adjustments of algorithms are made and agreed upon by individuals (such as a governing body or council), with the final product removing the decision-making burden from the user.

βœ… Examples of Algorithms:

🩺 Advanced and Basic life support algorithms

πŸ’‰ Local anaesthetic toxicity protocol

🚨 Massive transfusion protocol

🌬️Difficult airway algorithms, including the vortex approach

πŸ”‘ Key Differences Between Cognitive Aids and Algorithms:

πŸ”„ Algorithms aim to automate and clearly define a process.

🧠 Cognitive Aids help to reduce cognitive load in a decision-making process.

πŸ”’ Algorithms apply to specific scenarios that have the same defined steps/treatments each time.

πŸŒ€ Cognitive Aids apply to scenarios in which human decision-making is still required to respond to unique or varied occurrences.

βœ… Build Knowledge
βœ… Improve Safety

References:

Borshoff, D. (2021). Cognitive aids in healthcare. LITFL. https://litfl.com/cognitive-aids-in-healthcare/

Marshall, S. (2013). The use of cognitive aids during emergencies in anesthesia: a review of the literature. Anesth Analg.117(5):1162-71. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e31829c397b. PMID: 24029855.

McGrath, B. A., & Heaton, T. E. (2021). The role of algorithms in guiding emergency airway management. Anaesthesia reports, 9(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.1002/anr3.12117





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