title: Houston, we've had a problem: when do we override rules?
abstract: As important as rules are in health care, the authors explain why it is sometimes necessary to deviate from them to maximize patient outcomes. They then provide a framework for documenting, discussing, and teaching the importance of making exceptions and changing rules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, New Orleans, USA. dhaun@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: Argie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vivero
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D008145:Louisiana; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010337:Pathology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011340:Problem Solving; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management