[The incidence of perioperative events with optimized documentation discipline].
OBJECTIVE
The German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine evaluated the standardized reporting of perioperative anaesthesia-related incidents, events, and complications (IEC). As part of the data validation efforts, the problem of variation in documentation procedure was evaluated.


METHODS
A study group of particularly motivated and instructed residents and attendants was scrutinized at a University teaching hospital from April through June 96. IEC assessment was completed according to the Society's definitions.


RESULTS
Out of 4242 anaesthetics during the study period 839 (19.8%) were completed by the study group. In the univariate analysis, the incidence of IECs was significantly (P < 0.001) more reported by the physicians studied (36.4%) than by the control group (18.6%). In a multivariate analysis, while adjusting for all covariables, reported incidence of IEC was 2.4-fold significantly increased (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study is another step in validating the assessment of IECs. The results gain importance with respect to upcoming nationwide quality comparisons among anaesthesia providers. In addition, they give a better estimate of economic implications from IECs within the institution.
Bothner
U
U
Universitätsklinik für Anästhesiologie, Universität Ulm.
Eberhart
L H
LH
Georgieff
M
M
Schwilk
B
B
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results