Insurance statements related to regional anaesthesia: A French database analysis

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Perioperative Medicine
• Risk Management

Background:

• Adverse events occur in approximately 30% of hospital admissions.
• Nearly 50% of these perioperative events may be preventable.
• Continuous risk assessment is crucial for improving patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the risks associated with regional anesthesia.
• To analyze perioperative adverse events reported by anesthesiologists and intensivists.
• To identify patterns and causes of anesthesia-related complications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from the MACSF-Sou medical insurance company.
• Inclusion of all statements declared by anesthesiologists and intensivists.
• Expert review by three senior anesthesiologists from the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR).

Main Results:

• 164 events analyzed, predominantly in young patients (mean age 48.3 years).
• Most frequent complications were peripheral nerve injuries (64.6%).
• Mechanical and infectious complications accounted for 15% and 11% of events, respectively, with a high incidence in the postoperative period (83.6%).

Conclusions:

• Collaboration with insurance companies provides valuable insights into perioperative risks.
• Regional anesthesia-related liability often involves young patients undergoing scheduled surgery.
• Future efforts should focus on enhancing postoperative care in both inpatient and ambulatory settings to mitigate risks.