[Analysis of quality in cardiac anesthesia]

In Anesthesia, especially in Cardiac Anesthesia in germany exist a lots of standards, that define good quality. For external quality assurance and analysis there is a core data set defined with an extension for cardiac anesthesia for a survey of patient risk factors und complications. Because there is no obligation only a minority of hospitals take an active part and only few data exists. No external structures exist to initiate quality improvements in the participating hospitals. Furthermore there is no external quality assurance to address patient satisfaction. The German Association for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care has established the requirements for external quality analysis. The hospitals should use these possibilities to prevent external specifications. Structures to fulfil the last step of the Demming Cycle (ACT) should be added.