title: [Closed claims analysis of deaths related to anesthesia in the period 1996-2004 registered by the Danish Patient Insurance Association].
abstract: We investigated the Danish Patient Insurance Association's files on patients registered as dead after a complication to anaesthesia. In 24 cases the patient's death was considered to result from the anesthetic procedure: six deaths were related to airway or ventilation management, four to central venous catheter placement, four as a result of medication errors, four from infusion pump problems and four after complications from regional blockades. Severe hemorrhage caused one death, and in one case the cause was uncertain. Several of the 24 deaths could potentially have been avoided.
authors: Rigshospitalet, Anaestesiologisk Afdeling, København Ø. larshove@dadlnet.dk
authors: Lars Dahlgaard
authors: LD
authors: Hove
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Steinmetz
authors: Jens Krogh
authors: JK
authors: Christoffersen
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Møller
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Nielsen
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Schmidt