A new comprehensive anaesthetic record

Eternal vigilance and strict attention to detail are the 'sine qua non' of safe anaesthesia with the contemporaneous anaesthetic record being the documentation. As an alternative to the manifold and often inadequate forms currently in use, a new rapidly completed anaesthetic record incorporating a comprehensive checklist is presented. Guidelines of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons are met. It is argued that the chart improves safety not only by its direction to attention during the peroperative visit and equipment check, but also by its demand for the ongoing attention of the anaesthetist. Reservations are expressed about 'black box' recording by trend printout and a perspective for computerised and automated anaesthetic records is also discussed.