Anesthesia information management systems in the ambulatory setting: benefits and challenges

Adopting an anesthesia information management system (AIMS) is a challenge for anesthesia departments. The transition requires a physician champion and the support of members in every section. This change can be facilitated by visiting similar institutions that are already using AIMS, shadow charting for a sufficient period of time, and understanding that optimization continues after the go-live date. Once implemented, the benefits outweigh the challenges, but understanding where the potential obstacles lie is critical to removing them efficiently and effectively. As different AIMS continue to spread throughout the medical world, so will their benefits.