Illustration of an interventional radiology suite, blending medical equipment with aviation-inspired design elements, emphasizing teamwork and safety.

Safety in the Shadows: How Interventional Radiology is Building a Culture of Care

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"From the Skies to the Scan Room: Learning from Aviation's Safety Successes to Protect Patients in Interventional Radiology"

In the high-stakes world of interventional radiology, where minimally invasive procedures save lives daily, the focus is shifting. It's no longer enough to be skilled; a strong culture of safety is essential. This article dives into how interventional radiology is learning from other high-risk fields like aviation, to protect both patients and healthcare providers.

Drawing inspiration from the aviation industry's Crew Resource Management, we explore how interventional radiology is building a culture of safety. This involves everything from better communication and teamwork to recognizing and supporting the often-overlooked "second victims" of medical errors – the healthcare providers themselves.

This shift isn't just about procedures; it's about people. By understanding the challenges and implementing these strategies, interventional radiology is setting a new standard for patient care, creating a supportive environment for everyone involved.

Aviation-Inspired Safety: Key Lessons for Interventional Radiology

Illustration of an interventional radiology suite, blending medical equipment with aviation-inspired design elements, emphasizing teamwork and safety.

Aviation has a long history of prioritizing safety, and interventional radiology is beginning to apply similar principles. Crew Resource Management (CRM), a cornerstone of aviation safety, emphasizes teamwork, communication, and recognizing human limitations. The aviation industry’s focus on detailed planning, pre-flight briefings, and post-flight debriefings provides a roadmap for safer practices in interventional radiology.

The concepts of planning, brief, huddle, and debrief (PBHD) are being adopted. In aviation, extensive pre-flight planning is standard. Pilots discuss potential issues, review weather conditions, and ensure all crew members are on the same page. In interventional radiology, this translates to pre-procedure checklists, team briefings, and time-outs to confirm the procedure plan, patient details, and equipment readiness.

Pre-Procedure Briefings: Similar to a pilot’s pre-flight briefing, interventional radiology teams are now using pre-procedure briefings.
Checklists: Aviation uses checklists to ensure all steps are followed. Interventional radiology uses checklists to confirm essential steps.
Teamwork and Communication: CRM in aviation emphasizes clear communication and teamwork. Interventional radiology is adopting strategies like the TeamSTEPPS program to improve communication and coordination.
Debriefing: After each flight, pilots debrief to identify what went well and what could be improved.

These practices are not merely procedural; they build a culture where safety is paramount. This ongoing, proactive approach improves efficiency and allows for continuous growth.

The Future of Safety in Interventional Radiology

The journey towards a robust safety culture in interventional radiology is ongoing. By embracing teamwork, open communication, and learning from every experience, interventional radiology is paving the way for a future where patient care is as safe as it is innovative. This commitment to safety is not just a goal; it's the foundation upon which the next generation of healthcare is being built.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1053/j.tvir.2018.07.012, Alternate LINK

Title: Building A Culture Of Safety In Interventional Radiology

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Johannes Lourens Du Pisanie, Robert Dixon

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

How is interventional radiology improving patient safety?

Interventional radiology is enhancing patient safety by drawing inspiration from the aviation industry's safety protocols. It focuses on improving teamwork and communication, using strategies like TeamSTEPPS and Crew Resource Management (CRM). This approach includes detailed planning, pre-procedure briefings, and post-procedure debriefings to reduce errors and improve overall patient care.

What is Crew Resource Management (CRM) and how does it apply to interventional radiology?

Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a cornerstone of aviation safety that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and recognizing human limitations. In interventional radiology, CRM principles are applied to improve team coordination, ensure clear communication during procedures, and create a supportive environment where healthcare providers can openly discuss concerns and potential errors. By adopting CRM, interventional radiology aims to enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of medical errors.

What are 'second victims' in the context of interventional radiology, and how are they being supported?

In interventional radiology, 'second victims' refer to healthcare providers who are emotionally impacted by medical errors or adverse events. Support for second victims involves creating a culture of open communication and support within healthcare teams. This includes offering counseling services, peer support groups, and systems for reporting and addressing errors without blame. By recognizing and supporting second victims, interventional radiology aims to foster a more resilient and compassionate healthcare environment.

What is the significance of pre-procedure briefings, checklists, and debriefings in interventional radiology, and what aviation safety practices inspired them?

Pre-procedure briefings, checklists, and debriefings are essential components of interventional radiology inspired by aviation safety practices. Pre-procedure briefings, akin to a pilot's pre-flight briefing, ensure that all team members are aligned on the procedure plan, patient details, and equipment readiness. Checklists, borrowed from aviation's systematic approach, help confirm that all essential steps are followed. Debriefings, similar to post-flight reviews, allow teams to identify what went well and what could be improved. These practices promote a culture of safety, improve efficiency, and facilitate continuous learning.

What does the adoption of Planning, Brief, Huddle, and Debrief (PBHD) methodology in interventional radiology mean for the future of patient care, and how does it relate to aviation safety?

The adoption of Planning, Brief, Huddle, and Debrief (PBHD) methodology in interventional radiology, inspired by aviation safety, signifies a commitment to a proactive and systematic approach to patient care. Planning involves detailed preparation before a procedure. The Brief step ensures all team members understand the plan. Huddles address any immediate concerns or adjustments needed during the procedure. Debriefs provide a structured review after the procedure to identify areas for improvement. By integrating PBHD, interventional radiology enhances safety, communication, and teamwork, paving the way for a future where patient care is both safe and innovative.