title: Critical incidence reporting systems - an option in equine anaesthesia? Results from a panel meeting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a brief introduction into Critical Incident Reporting Systems (CIRS) as used in human medicine, and to report the discussion from a recent panel meeting discussion with 23 equine anaesthetists in preparation for a new CEPEF-4 (Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Moderated group discussions, and review of literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first group discussion focused on the definition of 'preventable critical incidents' and/or 'near misses' in the context of equine anaesthesia. The second group discussion focused on categorizing critical incidents according to an established framework for analysing risk and safety in clinical medicine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While critical incidents do occur in equine anaesthesia, no critical incident reporting system including systematic collection and analysis of critical incidents is in place.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Critical incident reporting systems could be used to improve safety in equine anaesthesia - in addition to other study types such as mortality studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartnack
authors.forename: Regula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bettschart-Wolfensberger
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Driessen
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wohlfender
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000458:organization & administration; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Swiss cheese model; active and latent errors; critical incident reporting systems; equine anaesthesia; safety culture