Situational Awareness
Situational Awareness
Situational Awareness (si-tu-a-tion-al a-ware-ness, from the Latin situatio meaning "state" and the Old English ware meaning "watchful") is a concept used in a variety of fields, most notably in healthcare, psychology, and emergency management. It refers to the ability to identify, process, and comprehend critical elements of information about the environment in which one is situated.
Definition
Situational Awareness involves being aware of what is happening around you in a complex, dynamic environment to understand how information, events, and your own actions will impact your goals and objectives, both now and in the near future.
Importance in Healthcare
In healthcare, Situational Awareness is crucial for patient safety. It allows healthcare professionals to perceive the elements in the environment, comprehend their meaning, and project their status in the near future. This can help in early detection of potential problems, timely decision-making, and effective communication among team members.
Related Terms
- Cognitive Load: The total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. High cognitive load can negatively impact situational awareness.
- Decision Making: The cognitive process of choosing from a set of alternatives. Good situational awareness can enhance decision-making.
- Human Factors: The study of how humans behave physically and psychologically in relation to particular environments, products, or services. Situational awareness is a key aspect of human factors in healthcare.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Situational Awareness
- Wikipedia's article - Situational Awareness
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