Quality improvement in New Zealand pediatric anesthesia: National quality direction, patient experience, equity, and collaboration

Beyond mortality: definitions and benchmarks of outcome standards in paediatric anaesthesiology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review the evolution of safety and outcomes in paediatric anaesthesia, identify gaps in quality and how these gaps may influence outcomes, and to propose a plan to address these challenges through the creation of universal outcome standards and a paediatric anaesthesia designation programme.

RECENT FINDINGS

Tremendous advancements in the quality and safety of paediatric anaesthesia care have occurred since the 1950 s, resulting in a near absence of documented mortality in children undergoing general anaesthesia. However, the majority of data we have on paediatric anaesthesia outcomes come from specialized academic institutions, whereas most children are being anaesthetized outside of free-standing children's hospitals.

SUMMARY

Although the literature supports dramatic improvements in patient safety during anaesthesia, there are still gaps, particularly in where a child receives anaesthesia care and in quality outcomes beyond mortality. Our goal is to increase equity in care, create standardized outcome measures in paediatric anaesthesia and build a verification system to ensure that these targets are accomplished. The time has come to benchmark paediatric anaesthesia care and increase quality received by all children with universal measures that go beyond simply mortality.

Workplace health in anesthesia team: A qualitative study in Iran

Background

All anesthesia providers, including nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists work in a stressful environment with diverse tasks. The profession is characterized by high workload, both dependent and independent job descriptions, and unpredictable conditions. This study was designed and conducted to explain the factors affecting the workplace health of Iranian anesthesia teams.

Methods

Twenty anesthesia team members including nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists from 7 different hospitals were enrolled in this phenomenological research. The data were collected in 2022. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and the transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The most notable theme emerging from the data which was found to affect workplace health was consistency of anesthesia team. Other themes derived from the data included team tranquility and physical well-being.

Conclusion

The participants' emphasis was more on behavioral and managerial factors affecting workplace health, and desirable interpersonal cooperation to create a suitable work environment for them was more prominent. These findings can raise the awareness of chief nurse anesthetists and planners to provide more effective teamwork, modify the job description structure, and reduce staff conflicts.