title: Value of expert systems, quick reference guides and other cognitive aids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive aids and other methods of decision support are receiving increased interest by the anesthesia community. These tools have significant safety implications because of the possibility to decrease variability in human performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies of the use of cognitive aids during realistic simulations supports use of cognitive aids and other decision support tools.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The early work in this field of decision support is encouraging but there are many questions regarding the optimal design, presentation and use.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine bAnesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, California. USA.
authors.forename: Louise Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods*; D003071:Cognition; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D012014:Reference Books, Medical