Page 59 - 2022 Risk Basics - Anesthesiology

SVMIC Risk Basics: Anesthesiology

According to Dr. John Eichhorn, noted anesthesia patient

safety innovator, and APSF Newsletter founder and editor, the
average new practitioner can expect to be involved in a

catastrophic patient-injury accident once in a career. Every

anesthesia practitioner needs a plan of action to respond to a
patient-injury intraoperative accident, and the Adverse Event

Protocol is the most effective plan of action. Many ORs and OR
suites now have instant internet access. Adding the website

www.apsf.org to your favorites is a quick and efficient way to

utilize this resource. If internet access is unavailable,
emergency protocol checklists should be taped to monitors for

quick reference.

The basic Adverse Event Protocol plan is outlined as follows.
Upon recognition that a major adverse anesthesia event is in

progress or has occurred:

1. Get help and mobilize according to the Adverse Event

Protocol on the internet.

2. The primary caregiver(s) should continue patient care.

Except in the very unusual circumstance that the
anesthesia provider becomes ill or disabled or is so

shocked by the realization of the accident that s/he
cannot function, s/he should devote full attention to

direct clinical care rather than to the necessary

organizational and administrative considerations.

3. Designate immediately an Incident Supervisor (e.g., a
senior practitioner, department leader, or the person

running the OR schedule and assignments) who:

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