The Australian Incident Monitoring Study. Physical injuries and environmental safety in anaesthesia: an analysis of 2000 incident reports.
Of the first 2000 incidents reported to the Australian Incident Monitoring Study, 56 (3%) involved environmental hazards or injuries to patients or staff. There were 17 cases of oral trauma (14 of tooth loss or damage, in 7 of which poor dentition played a role), 10 incidents involving problems with the operating table, 6 cases of skin or eye damage and 6 cases in which an electrical hazard was identified. Five incidents occurred during transport, and there were 4 cases of monitor induced trauma, 4 "needlestick" injuries and 4 miscellaneous incidents. Recommendations are made for trying to avoid or reduce the incidence of some of these problems.
Singleton
R J
RJ
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Ludbrook
G L
GL
Webb
R K
RK
Fox
M A
MA
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000776:Anesthesiology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*