Anesthesia Safety Network: when aeronautical inspiration transforms patient safety

A positive approach to risk prevention that has become a model for health training

Introduction – Patient safety and feedback: a paradigm shift

Patient safety has become a central issue in healthcare facilities. Faced with the complexity of care, risk prevention now relies on human factors, safety culture, and the collective analysis of adverse events.
Within this dynamic, Anesthesia Safety Network (ASN) emerged in 2016 as a pioneering project, directly inspired by aeronautical prevention methods.

1. Aeronautical inspiration to enhance patient safety

ASN was born from a powerful idea: to adapt a proven aviation approach to healthcare.
Using Air France's Overview review – shared by Thomas Lopes – the team discovered a model based on:

• structured feedback,
• analysis of human factors,
• transparent communication,
• a focus on solutions,
• and a non-blaming approach.

This model allows the aeronautics industry to achieve exceptional levels of safety.
ASN applies these principles to anesthesia and, progressively, to all aspects of patient safety.

The objective: to offer a positive, non-anxiety-inducing tool, focused on continuous improvement and collective learning.

2. A major recognition: René Amalberti's endorsement

A few months after its creation, ASN received an award at the Grand Prix de la Prévention Médicale.
It was René Amalberti, an international authority on patient safety, who personally called Frédéric Martin to announce the award.

This endorsement confirms the relevance of an approach:

• based on risk prevention,
• informed by human factors,
• aligned with international best practices,
• and easily adopted by healthcare teams.

This recognition establishes ASN as a credible player in the quality of care and the culture of safety.

3. A gradual expansion: from anesthesia to a safety culture across healthcare facilities

Thanks to the teams' interest, ASN is rapidly expanding its scope beyond anesthesia.
The approach is progressively encompassing:

• critical situation management,
• interprofessional communication,
• nurse-physician coordination,
• analysis of serious adverse events,
• teamwork practices,
• and continuous improvement strategies.

ASN is becoming a knowledge network enabling the rapid dissemination of essential concepts for patient safety and risk prevention in health.

4. SafeTeam Academy: Transforming Knowledge into Operational Skills

Building on this momentum, the project is evolving towards training.
The creation of SafeTeam Academy allows for the structuring of learning paths based on:

• video simulation,
• debriefing,
• human factors,
• reflective practice,
• learning through lessons learned,
• and prevention resources used in high-reliability sectors.

These training courses concretely reinforce:

• quality of care,
• risk management,
• team communication,
• collective vigilance,
• and the safety culture in healthcare facilities.

The ASN approach is thus embodied by a comprehensive educational offering dedicated to patient safety.

5. A growing impact on the quality and safety of care

Today, the approach developed by ASN and SafeTeam Academy:

• benefits thousands of professionals,
• improves the analysis of adverse events,
• strengthens risk prevention,
• supports decision-making in critical situations,
• develops a sustainable safety culture.

The approach is now recognized as an effective lever for improving the safety of care, the quality of practices, and team engagement in continuous improvement.

Some answers to your questions: Patient safety and factors Human Factors

1. What is patient safety in healthcare facilities?

Patient safety refers to all practices aimed at reducing risks associated with care: medication errors, surgical incidents, communication breakdowns, adverse events, etc. It is based on human factors, a safety culture, and systems analysis.

2. Why are human factors essential in anesthesia and healthcare?

Human factors study how professionals interact with their environment, their tools, and their colleagues. In anesthesia, as in other disciplines, they improve decision-making, communication, and the management of critical situations.

3. How does video simulation improve patient safety?

Video simulation allows teams to project themselves into realistic situations, analyze behaviors, identify risks, and implement continuous improvement strategies during guided debriefings.

4. What is a safety culture in healthcare?

A safety culture refers to an environment where teams:

• share incidents,
• learn collectively,
• communicate transparently, and feel supported in their improvement efforts.

It is central to reducing adverse events.

5. How does the Anesthesia Safety Network contribute to risk prevention?

ASN promotes a positive approach based on lessons learned, non-punitive analysis, international lessons learned, and human factors. He raises awareness among the teams about risk prevention and continuous improvement strategies.