We present the main findings of the 5th National Audit Project (NAP5) on accidental awareness during general anaesthesia (AAGA). Incidences were estimated using reports of accidental awareness as the numerator, and a parallel national anaesthetic activity survey to provide denominator data. The incidence of certain/probable and possible accidental awareness cases was ~1:19,600 anaesthetics (95% confidence interval 1:16,700-23,450). However, there was considerable variation across subtypes of techniques or subspecialities. The incidence with neuromuscular block (NMB) was ~1:8200 (1:7030-9700), and without, it was ~1:135,900 (1:78,600-299,000). The cases of AAGA reported to NAP5 were overwhelmingly cases of unintended awareness during NMB. The incidence of accidental awareness during Caesarean section was ~1:670 (1:380-1300). Two-thirds (82, 66%) of cases of accidental awareness experiences arose in the dynamic phases of anaesthesia, namely induction of and emergence from anaesthesia. During induction of anaesthesia, contributory factors included: use of thiopental, rapid sequence induction, obesity, difficult airway management, NMB, and interruptions of anaesthetic delivery during movement from anaesthetic room to theatre. During emergence from anaesthesia, residual paralysis was perceived by patients as accidental awareness, and commonly related to a failure to ensure full return of motor capacity. One-third (43, 33%) of accidental awareness events arose during the maintenance phase of anaesthesia, mostly due to problems at induction or towards the end of anaesthesia. Factors increasing the risk of accidental awareness included: female sex, age (younger adults, but not children), obesity, anaesthetist seniority (junior trainees), previous awareness, out-of-hours operating, emergencies, type of surgery (obstetric, cardiac, thoracic), and use of NMB. The following factors were not risk factors for accidental awareness: ASA physical status, race, and use or omission of nitrous oxide. We recommend that an anaesthetic checklist, to be an integral part of the World Health Organization Safer Surgery checklist, is introduced as an aid to preventing accidental awareness. This paper is a shortened version describing the main findings from NAP5--the full report can be found at http://www.nationalauditprojects.org.uk/NAP5_home.

The 5th National Audit Project (NAP5) of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland into accidental awareness during general anaesthesia (AAGA) yielded data related to psychological aspects from the patient, and the anaesthetist, perspectives; patients' experiences ranged from isolated auditory or tactile sensations to complete awareness. A striking finding was that 75% of experiences were for <5 min, yet 51% of patients [95% confidence interval (CI) 43-60%] experienced distress and 41% (95% CI 33-50%) suffered longer term adverse effect. Distress and longer term harm occurred across the full range of experiences but were particularly likely when the patient experienced paralysis (with or without pain). The patient's interpretation of what is happening at the time of the awareness seemed central to later impact; explanation and reassurance during suspected AAGA or at the time of report seemed beneficial. Quality of care before the event was judged good in 26%, poor in 39%, and mixed in 31%. Three-quarters of cases of AAGA (75%) were judged preventable. In 12%, AAGA care was judged good and the episode not preventable. The contributory and human factors in the genesis of the majority of cases of AAGA included medication, patient, and education/training. The findings have implications for national guidance, institutional organization, and individual practice. The incidence of 'accidental awareness' during sedation (~1:15,000) was similar to that during general anaesthesia (~1:19,000). The project raises significant issues about information giving and consent for both sedation and anaesthesia. We propose a novel approach to describing sedation from the patient's perspective which could be used in communication and consent. Eight (6%) of the patients had resorted to legal action (12, 11%, to formal complaint) at the time of reporting. NAP5 methodology provides a standardized template that might usefully inform the investigation of claims or serious incidents related to AAGA.

Background: Smoking during pregnancy has a detrimental effect on both maternal and neonatal health. The government has agreed a long term goal for New Zealand (NZ) to become a smoke-free nation by 2025, with smoking cessation during pregnancy a government priority. Contemporary information, reviewing the prevalence and demographics of women who smoke during pregnancy, is important so that change can be monitored and cessation support appropriately targeted. Aim: To examine the prevalence of smoking for 81,821 pregnant women who registered with a midwife Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) between the years 2008 to 2010. Methods: A retrospective observational design using aggregated clinical data from the New Zealand College of Midwives clinical outcomes research database (COMCORD) for the years 2008 to 2010. Women's self-reported smoking or smoke-free status was recorded at registration with, and at discharge from, a midwife LMC. Findings: A trend of reduced smoking prevalence at registration was found for this NEW ZEALAND RESEARCH cohort (reduced from 19.5% in 2008 to 18.4% in 2010). Women who identified as Māori had the highest rates of smoking (42.9%) followed by Pasifika (15%) and NZ European ethnicity (13.4%). Women in the 16 to 19 years age group had the highest rate of smoking (39.4%) followed by the under 16 years age group (35.7%). Increasing parity was also associated with an increased likelihood of smoking at registration. By discharge from midwifery care there were reduced rates of smoking across all groups. Conclusion: Overall smoking during pregnancy prevalence rates are trending down with reduced rates of smoking across all groups by discharge from a midwife. Cessation messages and support need to be targeted to young women (under 25years), multiparous women and women of Māori ethnicity.

Background: Smoking during pregnancy has a detrimental effect on both maternal and neonatal health. The government has agreed a long term goal for New Zealand (NZ) to become a smoke-free nation by 2025, with smoking cessation during pregnancy a government priority. Contemporary information, reviewing the prevalence and demographics of women who smoke during pregnancy, is important so that change can be monitored and cessation support appropriately targeted. Aim: To examine the prevalence of smoking for 81,821 pregnant women who registered with a midwife Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) between the years 2008 to 2010. Methods: A retrospective observational design using aggregated clinical data from the New Zealand College of Midwives clinical outcomes research database (COMCORD) for the years 2008 to 2010. Women's self-reported smoking or smoke-free status was recorded at registration with, and at discharge from, a midwife LMC. Findings: A trend of reduced smoking prevalence at registration was found for this NEW ZEALAND RESEARCH cohort (reduced from 19.5% in 2008 to 18.4% in 2010). Women who identified as Māori had the highest rates of smoking (42.9%) followed by Pasifika (15%) and NZ European ethnicity (13.4%). Women in the 16 to 19 years age group had the highest rate of smoking (39.4%) followed by the under 16 years age group (35.7%). Increasing parity was also associated with an increased likelihood of smoking at registration. By discharge from midwifery care there were reduced rates of smoking across all groups. Conclusion: Overall smoking during pregnancy prevalence rates are trending down with reduced rates of smoking across all groups by discharge from a midwife. Cessation messages and support need to be targeted to young women (under 25years), multiparous women and women of Māori ethnicity.

Background: Smoking during pregnancy has a detrimental effect on both maternal and neonatal health. The government has agreed a long term goal for New Zealand (NZ) to become a smoke-free nation by 2025, with smoking cessation during pregnancy a government priority. Contemporary information, reviewing the prevalence and demographics of women who smoke during pregnancy, is important so that change can be monitored and cessation support appropriately targeted. Aim: To examine the prevalence of smoking for 81,821 pregnant women who registered with a midwife Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) between the years 2008 to 2010. Methods: A retrospective observational design using aggregated clinical data from the New Zealand College of Midwives clinical outcomes research database (COMCORD) for the years 2008 to 2010. Women's self-reported smoking or smoke-free status was recorded at registration with, and at discharge from, a midwife LMC. Findings: A trend of reduced smoking prevalence at registration was found for this NEW ZEALAND RESEARCH cohort (reduced from 19.5% in 2008 to 18.4% in 2010). Women who identified as Māori had the highest rates of smoking (42.9%) followed by Pasifika (15%) and NZ European ethnicity (13.4%). Women in the 16 to 19 years age group had the highest rate of smoking (39.4%) followed by the under 16 years age group (35.7%). Increasing parity was also associated with an increased likelihood of smoking at registration. By discharge from midwifery care there were reduced rates of smoking across all groups. Conclusion: Overall smoking during pregnancy prevalence rates are trending down with reduced rates of smoking across all groups by discharge from a midwife. Cessation messages and support need to be targeted to young women (under 25years), multiparous women and women of Māori ethnicity.