Key Performance Indicators in Paediatric Anaesthesia

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Healthcare Performance Measurement

Background:

• No national guidelines for pediatric anesthesia performance exist in Ireland.
• International standards for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in pediatric anesthesia are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate current performance in pediatric anesthesia against international standards for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pain.
• To provide data for the development of national guidelines for pediatric anesthesia care in Ireland.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study conducted from January to February 2018 at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.
• Inclusion of 743 pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia.
• Analysis of post-operative pain scores and incidence of PONV.

Main Results:

• 12% of patients reported post-operative pain scores greater than 4/10.
• 1.2% of patients experienced PONV.
• Orthopedic surgery had the highest incidence of post-operative pain (33%), while general surgery was associated with the highest risk of PONV.

Conclusions:

• Achieved performance indicators for post-operative pain and PONV are similar to international data.
• The study highlights a need for more published data from Irish centers.
• This data can serve as a benchmark for other Irish pediatric centers as national guidelines are developed.