Page 19 - 2022 Risk Basics - Anesthesiology

SVMIC Risk Basics: Anesthesiology

 Appropriate premedication and prophylactic antibiotic

administrations (if indicated)
6
 Clearly and completely document the preoperative

anesthesia evaluation:

» Classification of airway

» Evaluation of neck extension

» Prior anesthesia difficulty

» Inquiry into the presence or absence of obstructive

sleep apnea

» Dental assessment

» History of sleep apnea

Informed Consent

Let’s take a look at the specific documentation requirements of

informed consent since lack of informed consent is often an
allegation in a malpractice lawsuit. Frequently in claims where

there is a bad outcome, we find the consent process was

lacking, or at least, documentation of that process was lacking.
Plaintiff attorneys are eager to assert the old adage that, “If it’s

not documented, it wasn’t done.” While that is not necessarily

true, it is certainly more difficult to prove that it was done if it
wasn’t documented.

In the majority of anesthesia-related cases reviewed, lack of

informed consent was asserted by the plaintiff. Lack of
informed consent can be a sole basis for a negligence claim or

can be asserted as an additional claim in connection with

6 https://www.apsf.org/article/american-society-of-anesthesiologists/

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