The Anaesthetic Services Programme Encompassing Nova Scotia (ASPENS)

Area of Science:

• Medical Quality Assurance
• Anesthesiology Practice Management

Background:

• A peer review program for anesthesia departments was established in Nova Scotia in 1987.
• Reviews are initiated by departmental leadership and medical staff presidents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive peer review program for anesthesia departments.
• To identify common deficiencies and track improvements over time.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 26 peer reviews of anesthesia departments between 1987 and 1993.
• Analyzed review reports to identify recurring deficiencies.
• Examined data from four hospitals reviewed twice to assess improvement.

Main Results:

• Common deficiencies included anesthesia record design, staff recruitment, policy documentation, quality assurance processes, organizational structure, and equipment standards.
• In hospitals reviewed twice, 80% of initial deficiencies were corrected within 3-5 years.
• Nine new deficiencies were identified in the second reviews.

Conclusions:

• The peer review program has demonstrated success in identifying and rectifying deficiencies in anesthesia departments.
• Regular reviews encourage continuous quality improvement in anesthesia care.
• Departments are advised to undergo review every four to five years.