[Future working conditions of anesthesiologists. Attempt at an analysis]

The present conditions of the anaesthesiologist's workplace are characterized by completely unacceptable circumstances, incompatibilities, inflexibility and unsafeness. Like inadequate cockpit conditions in airplanes, these workplace conditions pose considerable risks to the safety of patients and personnel. Taking into consideration the literature and our own views, we have proposed some changes which are essential for improving the working conditions of anesthesiologists: Ergonomic improvements of the anaesthesiological workplace in order to facilitate the anesthetist's performance, to provide him with adequate space, and to automatize repeated and relatively unimportant activities. Vital information about the patient's condition must be located in a position where they will dominate the anesthetist's attention. Information about medications, infusions, transfusions, etc. can be located on the left-hand side of the anesthetist. All other devices can be located beside the anesthetist or even behind him, as they are of minor importance. The most useful alternative to the present conditions would be to locate the information panels of primary and secondary monitoring devices to the immediate right, or on the right- und left-hand sides of the anesthetist at an angle of 15 degrees-30 degrees each. Furthermore, these information panels should be arranged so that they can be monitored using moving and slightly tilted screens. The most important of the patients, clinical parameters as well as the functions of the equipment should be monitored by alarms, warning devices, or simply indicators, which can easily be separated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)