Anaesthetic assistants: Their role in the development and resolution of anaesthetic incidents

Citation
Mt. Kluger et al., Anaesthetic assistants: Their role in the development and resolution of anaesthetic incidents, ANAESTH I C, 27(3), 1999, pp. 269-274
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Aneshtesia & Intensive Care
Journal title
ANAESTHESIA AND INTENSIVE CARE
ISSN journal
0310057X → ACNP
Volume
27
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
269 - 274
Database
ISI
SICI code
0310-057X(199906)27:3<269:AATRIT>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Trained anaesthetic assistants ar-e considered essential for the safe condu ct of anaesthesia. Data from 5837 AIMS (Anaesthetic Incident Monitoring Stu dy) reports were evaluated for issues concerning anaesthetic assistants in the generation and resolution of anaesthetic incidents. "Inadequate assista nce" as a contributing factor was identified in 187 reports, whilst "skille d assistance" which minimized the incident was present in 808 cases. One hu ndred and seventy-two reports specifically commented on anaesthetic assista nts in the narrative section of the AIMS form. All surgical specialities we re represented. In 147 of these reports the assistant actually contributed to or failed to assist with the incident. Although the majority of outcomes from the reports were uneventful, prolonged st ny, awareness and ICU admis sion did ensue in a small number of cases. The most common incidents were r elated to problems with equipment, communication and inadequate staffing le vels (number and/or skill mix). Results from this study have implications f or anaesthetic assistant staffing levels and the orientation of course cont ent.