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from Section 2 - Crises and Complications
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 June 2025
Errors made by anaesthetists may result in morbidity and even mortality.
These errors can result from the placing and subsequent care of cannulae. It is vital to ensure that they are correctly sited, flushed after use and the needle is disposed of appropriately. For arterial cannulae it is vital that they are also correctly flushed and adequate dead space is removed prior to analysing samples, with the transducer at the correct height.
The airway is fundamental in anaesthesia and ensuring correct tracheal tube placement is paramount. In addition, mishaps can occur with disconnections, failure to deliver the correct gases and volatiles, as well as faulty equipment including laryngoscopes and suction equipment. Monitoring equipment is a key area and ensures the is patient is breathing correct quantities of oxygen and is properly anaesthetised. Do not disable the alarms on monitors.
Always ensure the correct drug is given in the correct dose by the correct route. Labelling of drug syringes will assist. Ensure that no drugs intended for regional blockade (eg epidurals) are injected intravenously and vice versa.
Finally transfer of patients into and out of theatre should only take place when the patient is stable.
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