The role of the anesthesiologist in perioperative patient safety

Despite the benefits of rapidly advancing therapeutic and diagnostic possibilities, the perioperative setting still exposes patients to significant risks of adverse events and harm. Anesthesiologists are in midstream of perioperative care and can make significant contributions to patient safety and patient outcomes. This article reviews recent research results outlining the current trends of perioperative patient harm and summarizes the evidence in favor of patient safety practices.

Adverse events and patient harm continue to be frequent in the perioperative period. Adverse events occur in about 30% of hospital admissions, are associated with higher mortality, and may be preventable in more than 50%. Evidence-based recommendations are available for many patient safety issues. No magic bullet practices exist, but promising targets include the prevention and limitation of perioperative infections and of complications of airway and respiratory management, the maintenance of achieved safety standards, the use of checklists, and others.

Current research provides growing evidence for the effectiveness of several patient safety practices designed to prevent or diminish perioperative adverse events and patient harm. Future investigations will hopefully fill the numerous persisting knowledge gaps.