Red Rules for Boards
In industries where safety is critical and quality must come first, such as airlines and nuclear power, “red rules” refer to protocols that must be followed “to the letter” – all work stops until they are. A commercial airliner doesnʼt leave the gate if the pilot spies a possible leak or flat tire; a nuclear plant operator or even a Toyota assembly line worker can “stop the line” when he spots a critical flaw.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) says one example of a red rule in healthcare might be: “No hospitalized patients can undergo a test of any kind, receive a medication or blood product, or undergo a procedure if they are not wearing an identification bracelet.” The moment a patient is spotted who does not meet this condition, all activity ceases until the patientʼs identity has been verified and an identification band is in place.