Anesthesia Information Management Systems: An Underutilized Tool for Outcomes Research

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Health Informatics
• Outcomes Research

Background:

• Perioperative outcomes research using Anesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS) is an emerging field.
• A comprehensive review of this research methodology is lacking.
• AIMS facilitate the collection and analysis of extensive patient data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an initial analysis of AIMS utilization in perioperative patient outcomes research.
• To identify trends and applications of AIMS in this research domain.
• To highlight the potential of AIMS for advancing anesthesia care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of articles published between January 1980 and January 2013.
• Analysis of research trends and reported outcomes using AIMS data.
• Categorization of studies based on research focus, e.g., risk stratification and complication reporting.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in perioperative outcomes research using AIMS has been observed since 2001.
• Risk stratification studies with large populations are the most frequently reported.
• AIMS have been successfully employed to document rare complications like malignant hyperthermia.

Conclusions:

• AIMS provide a powerful tool for perioperative outcomes research, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
• The use of AIMS is expected to grow, generating crucial evidence for enhancing anesthesia practice.
• This research approach holds significant promise for improving patient safety and effectiveness in perioperative care.