Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:51
Evaluation of Capnography Sampling Line Compatibility and Accuracy when Used with a Portable Capnography Monitor
Published on: September 29, 2020
Quality and safety indicators in anesthesia: a systematic review
Guy Haller1, Johannes Stoelwinder, Paul S Myles
1Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology and Intensive Care, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. guy.haller@hcuge.ch
Anesthesiology
|April 9, 2009
Summary
A systematic review identified 108 anesthetic clinical indicators, assessing patient care safety and effectiveness. Many indicators lack strong scientific evidence, highlighting a need for better anesthesia quality measures.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Clinical indicators are crucial for measuring healthcare quality and performance.
- Professional organizations and agencies widely promote these indicators.
- A clear understanding of anesthesia care indicators is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and characterize anesthetic clinical indicators.
- To assess the number, characteristics, and validity of these indicators.
- To evaluate the evidence base for anesthesia quality measures.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Identification and categorization of anesthetic clinical indicators.
- Assessment of indicator validity and evidence level.
Main Results:
- 108 anesthetic clinical indicators were identified; 53 overlapped with surgical/postoperative care.
- Most indicators were process (42%) or outcome (57%) measures.
- 60% of indicators relied on expert opinion for validity; 62% had low scientific evidence.
Conclusions:
- Significant variability exists in anesthesia quality indicators.
- Many indicators lack robust scientific validation.
- Further development and validation of anesthesia-specific quality indicators are essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:24General Anesthesia: Overview
Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
01:20Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
01:22Stages of General Anesthesia
Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Respiratory assessment is a cornerstone of nursing assessments, crucial for the early detection of patient deterioration. This evaluation transcends routine procedures, representing a critical skill nurses must master to ensure optimal patient care.
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...