[Automated anesthesia record keeping system in in the United States]

We have implemented an automated anesthesia record keeping system (AARK) since 1992. The system stands in need of re-designing to function as a perioperative patient's information system. We discussed the issues with anesthesiologists who's institutes are implemented with AARK in the United States. We visited the following three institutes: St. Luke's Hospital (Kansas City, MO), University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), and Burbank Hospital (Fitchburg, MA). All of them are implemented with ARKIVE system. Dr. Edsall in Burbank Hospital stressed quality assurance (QA), and using ARKIVE's database for QA. University of Florida has a big anesthesia and engineering team to develop a new ergonomically sound AARK. Some of the members regarded ARKIVE as an "out of date" system. Dr. Tuohy in St. Luke's Hospital stressed cost/benefit of AARK. Taking their experience into account, we are designing a new perioperative patient's information system including AARK.