Survey of Anesthesia-related Mortality in France

Abstract

In comparison with data from a previous nationwide study (1978-1982), the anesthesia-related mortality rate in France seems to be reduced 10-fold in 1999. Much remains to be done to improve compliance of physicians to standard practice and to improve the anesthetic system process.

Anesthesiologists’ learning curves for bedside qualitative ultrasound assessment of gastric content: a cohort study

“…[1][2][3][4] Certain factors have been linked to the severity of patient outcomes, including the volume, nature, and acidity of the aspirate. [5][6][7][8] The preoperative assessment of the risk of pulmonary aspiration relies essentially on the patient's history, and the clinical management typically adheres to fasting recommendations of current guidelines.…”

Evolving challenges and opportunities for difficult airway management guidelines

“…2,3 Depuis la publication de ces directives, des études montrent une réduction des complications anesthésiques liées à la prise en charge des voies aériennes. 4,5 Bien entendu, il est impossible d'établir ici un lien de causalité; en outre, d'autres changements importants au niveau de la pratique ont également eu lieu simultanément, notamment l'utilisation des voies aériennes supraglottiques chez plus de la moitié des patients au Royaume-Uni (R.-U.). 5 …”

“…14 Il a été démontré que les anesthésiologistes respectent peu les directives, aussi bien en Europe qu'en Amérique du Nord. 4,15 Des données tirées de deux analyses à l'échelle nationale, notamment une récente étude prospective d'un an réalisée au R.-U. avec un dénominateur de 2,9 millions d'anesthésies, ont montré que les écarts par rapport à la pratique normalisée, les facteurs humains, les compétences non techniques et les occasions de formation jouent un rôle important dans les complications au niveau des voies aériennes et dans la mortalité en anesthésiologie.…”

“…2,3 Since the publication of those guidelines, studies have shown a decrease in anesthesia complications related to airway management. 4,5 Of course, it is not possible to determine causality, and there have been other significant changes in practice over this time, e.g., supraglottic airways are now used in more than half the patients in the United Kingdom (UK). 5 Unfortunately, despite these advances in both protocols and technology, airway complications in anesthesia still occur, and they are often associated with severe complications, i.e., brain damage or death.…”

“…14 It has been demonstrated that there is a poor adherence to guidelines by anesthesiologists both in Europe and in North America. 4,15 Data from two nationwide analyses, including a recent year-long prospective study in the UK with a denominator of 2.9 million anesthetics, have shown that deviations from standard practice, human factors, nontechnical skills, and training opportunities play a clear role in airway complications and mortality in anesthesiology. 4,5 Therefore, a key challenge for future airway management guidelines will be to integrate evidence-based education within evidence-based medicine.…”