Anaesthetic records in Great Britain and Ireland

A survey of anaesthetists and their use of anaesthetic records was carried out in Great Britain and Ireland. An analysis of 206 different record sheets from 175 hospitals or groups showed that, although many features were similar, important aspects were omitted in some, while others had too many options which were not necessarily relevant to the administration of an anaesthetic. No attempt has been made to offer an ideal design for an anaesthetic record, but the information may assist those anaesthetists wishing to change the current practice in their hospital or group.