The Thai Anesthesia Incident Monitoring Study (Thai AIMS) of oxygen desaturation in the post-anesthetic care unit.
OBJECTIVE
As part of the Thai Anesthesia Incident Monitoring Study (Thai AIMS), the present study was aimed to analyze the problems of oxygen desaturation in the post-anesthetic care unit in Thailand including clinical course, outcomes, contributing factors, and preventive strategies.


METHODS
The authors prospectively collected incident reports of oxygen desaturation in the post-anesthetic care unit between January and June 2007 from 51 studied hospitals across Thailand Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and contributing factors were recorded. All data were analyzed to identify contributing factors and preventive strategies.


RESULTS
Eighty-six of post-anesthetic oxygen desaturation incidents were reported Forty-six cases (53.5%) were diagnosed by pulse oximetry. Forty-eight cases (55.8%) were immediately detected within a minute upon arrival at the PACU. Thirty-one cases (36%) were caused by inadequate awakening. Eighty-two cases (95.3%) were anesthesia-related and preventable. The major clinical outcomes were re-intubation (51 cases; 59.3%), prolonged artificial ventilation (23 cases; 26.7%), unplanned ICU admission (16 cases; 18.6%), and prolonged hospital stay (3 cases; 3.5%). Sixty-three patients (73.3%) recovered completely within 24 hours but one died. Judgment error and lack of adequate patient evaluation were the two most common contributing factors that were minimized by high awareness and prior experience. Main strategies suggested to prevent the incidents included the development of specific guideline and quality assurance. These incidents did not effectively decrease when labor was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-anesthetic oxygen desaturation was frequently found during the transport period. It can cause morbidity and mortality. Anesthesia providers should be aware of these potential incidents and strictly follow guidelines.
Hintong
Thanoo
T
Department of Anesthesiology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. thintong@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Klanarong
Sireeluck
S
Suksompong
Sirilak
S
Chua-in
Waraporn
W
Chatmongkolchat
Sunisa
S
Werawatganon
Thewarug
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000761:Anesthesia Department, Hospital; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult