Anaesthetic Accidents and Emergencies Flashcards
what is the overall anaesthetic risk for dogs according to the CEPSAF enquiry?
0.17%
what is the overall anaesthetic risk for cats according to the CEPSAF enquiry?
0.24%
what is the overall anaesthetic risk for rabbits according to the CEPSAF enquiry?
1.39%
when were complications assessed during the CEPSAF enquiry?
48 hour post op period
how many anaesthetic deaths occurred within 3 hours of recovery?
50%
is risk higher with sedation or GA?
GA
what animals have increased risk of mortality associated with ET intubation?
cats but not dogs
how does the risk of death compare between inhalation or injection induction of anaesthesia?
inhalational is 6x more likely to result in death than injectional
how many anaesthetic deaths have a post mortem investigation?
10%
why is anaesthetic risk in veterinary patients still higher than human patients?
reduced comparative skill levels in veterinary patients
all humans will be monitored by a clinical anaesthetist
often much less equipment available in vet practice
what is the main nursing aim of anaesthesia?
reduce risk
what is one of the limitations of the CEPSAF enquiry?
only assessed patients for 48 hours after surgery
what is the risk of death from sedation / GA in the 2 weeks following the procedure?
0.14%
what was the risk of death from sedation / GA in the RVC study of routine procedures?
0.009%
in the RVC study what were the 4 main risk factors for sedation or anaesthetic death?
poorer health
urgent procedures
older age
long nose
how does poorer health affect anaesthetic risk?
those with ASA scores of 3-5 had a much higher risk of death
how do urgent procedures affect anaesthetic risk?
urgent procedures posed more risk to patient health
how does old age affect anaesthetic risk?
risk increases with age from 6 months
how does having a longer nose affect anaesthetic risk?
dolichocephalic breeds had 3.7x higher anaesthetic risk
why may dolichocephalic breeds be at greater risk of anaesthetic complications?
awareness of brachycephaly which means we may be hypervigilant and more cautious with anaesthetic management rather than with other patients
additional risk pathway with dolichocephalic breeds that we don’t yet understand
what can cause anaesthetic accidents?
sick patients
equipment failure
inadequate preparation
inadequate monitoring
combination of factors
what can be used to reduce the chance of anaesthetic accidents?
safety checklist
how can anaesthetic incidents be useful?
learn from mistakes
can be avoided
define complication
event that develops but is not due to human error - it would happen regardless
give 2 examples of complications
hypotension
drug reaction
define error
an avoidable event
what are the main human errors which occur in anaesthesia?
drug admin
incomplete clinical exam
inadequate knowledge of machine and protocols
failure to appropriately monitor
closed APL valve
what are some of the equipment failures and errors be due to?
human error and poor machine check
what is a key area of equipment failure?
inability to deliver an appropriate oxygen supply
what can lead to an inability to deliver an appropriate oxygen supply?
lack of oxygen in cylinder or source
disconnection of piped O2
stuck or missing one way valve
leaks in machine or breathing system
ventilator failure
how can anaesthetic safety be improved?
checklists
what are the main complications than can occur with IV catheter placement?
trauma during insertion
lack of placement (extravascular)
infection or inflammation
phlebitis
air embolism
pain or discomfort
how can you check IV catheter placement?
flush
if infection in a catheter is suspected how what should be done?
catheter removed
tip kept for culture
define phlebitis
inflammation of the vein due to blood clotting within it or the vein walls becoming damaged
how can IV catheter complications be prevented?
aseptic technique
start low down on limb and then move up
correct catheter type
good technique or adequate restraint
prevent patient interference
daily / twice daily observation and dressing change
flush
know when to ask someone else to place
what are the main drug administration errors?
decimal point incorrectly placed - correctly or incorrectly dosed
wrong drug
wrong dose or concentration
incorrect route
miscommunication - administration not recorded on hospital sheet
how can drug admin errors be avoided?
double check calculations
accurate weight
label all drugs/syringes
understand drug pharmacology and watch for excessive or underwhelming effects
check patient form before administration
record all drugs given
draw up carefully and ensure correct drug
confirm route
training of whole team
what should you do if you see/make a drug error?
tell the vet
stop administration if not all drug given
carefully monitor animal
check drug bottle / data sheet for information
contact poisons service if needed
inform owner
clinical governance meeting needed
describe vomiting
active process where gastric contents is expelled
describe regurgitation
passive process with no GI contraction
define reflux
regurgitation in an anaesthetised patient
what may predispose a patient to regurge/reflux?
species
drugs given
breed
when are the danger periods for regurgitation?
induction and recovery
what are the risk factors for GOR?
excessive or inadequate preoperative fasting
certain drugs
increased abdominal pressure
abdominal surgery
long ops
ortho
what drugs increase regurge risk?
opioids
ACP
diazepam
what effect do drugs have which increases risk of GOR?
relax cardiac sphincter
why do ortho surgeries increase the risk of GOR?
opioids given
lots of movement of the patient
what may indicate silent regurge has occurred?
vomit blood tinged fluid in recovery
appear unable to swallow
appear distressed