Aim: 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.