Anesthesia Safety Network: when inspiration from aeronautics 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 key issue in healthcare facilities. Given the complexity of care, risk prevention now relies on human factors, safety culture, and collective analysis of adverse events.
In this context, the Anesthesia Safety Network (ASN) emerged in 2016 as a pioneering project, directly inspired by aviation safety methods.

1. Inspiration from aeronautics to enhance patient safety

ASN was born from a powerful idea: to apply an approach that had proven successful in aviation to healthcare.
Based on the Air France magazine Survol, shared by Thomas Lopes,the team discovered a model based on:

• structured feedback,
• analysis of human factors,
• transparent communication,
• solution-oriented approach,
• and not feeling guilty.

This model enables the aerospace industry to achieve exceptional levels of safety.
ASN applies these principles toanesthesia and, gradually, to all aspects of healthcare safety.

The goal: to offer a positive, non-stressful tool focused on continuous improvement and collective learning.

2. Major recognition: René Amalberti's appeal

A few months after its creation, ASN received an award at the Grand Prix de la Prévention Médicale(Medical Prevention Grand Prix).
René Amalberti, an international authority on healthcare safety, personally called Frédéric Martin to announce the award.

This appeal 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 healthcare quality and safety culture.

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

Thanks to the interest shown by the teams, ASN is rapidly expanding its scope beyond anesthesia.
The initiative is gradually affecting:

• crisis management,
• interprofessional communication,
• coordination between caregivers and physicians,
• analysis of serious adverse events,
• teamwork practices,
• and continuous improvement strategies.

ASN is becoming a knowledge network that enables the rapid dissemination of essential information for patient safety and health risk prevention.

4. SafeTeam Academy: transforming knowledge into operational skills

Building on this momentum, the project is evolving towards training.
The creation of SafeTeam Academy makes it possible to structure courses based on:

• video simulation,
• the debriefing,
• human factors,
• reflective practice,
• learning from experience,
• and prevention resources used in high-reliability sectors.

These training courses provide practical reinforcement of:

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

The ASN approach thus takes the form of a comprehensive educational program 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 healthcare safety, the quality of practices, and the commitment of teams tocontinuous improvement.

Some answers to your questions: Patient safety and human factors

1. What is patient safety in healthcare facilities?

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

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

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

3. How does video simulation improve healthcare 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 culture of safety in healthcare?

A safety culture refers to an environment where teams:

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

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 feedback, non-punitive analysis, international lessons learned, and human factors. It raises awareness among teams about risk prevention and continuous improvement strategies.

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