Page 7 - 2022 Risk Basics - Anesthesiology

SVMIC Risk Basics: Anesthesiology

Introduction

This course will examine the most frequent errors that either

cause or contribute to an anesthesia-related malpractice claim,
or make a claim less defensible. The course will suggest key

points to avoid these errors and improve patient safety, and
where possible, the course will incorporate checklists and

guidelines developed by professional societies and

organizations.

The first step to reduce liability risks is for the practitioner to

have an understanding of the history of anesthesia-related

injuries, as well as the mindset of the patient and the patient’s
family members. For many people, anesthesia remains one of

the scariest parts of surgery, despite the fact that surgery and

anesthesia are safer today than ever before, thanks to
continuing advances in science and medicine. One reason for

this fear is that patients and their families are remembering a
time not so long ago when anesthesia was less safe. Only

thirty years ago, in 1990, deaths related to anesthesia
statistically occurred in two patients per 10,000 procedures;

but by 2015, that number had decreased to one anesthesia-

related death per 200,000 to 300,000 procedures.
1

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA),

“a person [today] is more likely to be struck by lightning than

die from anesthesia-related complications”, and a recent
2
article on WebMD states, “not only have errors become

relatively uncommon, but experts say that anesthesia is one of

1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-x-0111-anesthesia-safety-20120111-story.html
2 https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2010/08/vital-health-2

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