INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Joint Comission

anesthesia can cause rapid changes in vital functions. Physiological parameters must continually be monitored including end tidal CO2 when required, by either select evidence-based guidelines, ASC policies and procedures, or state regulatory requirements. In addition to physiologic variables, anesthesia clinicians must also continuously monitor their equipment to detect and correct equipment malfunctions during all types of anesthesia. Patient monitoring equipment is used to assist in the titration of anesthetic medication, to detect physiologic perturbations, to ultimately allow for intervention before the patient suffers any harm.

Post-Anesthesia Assessment

Although the surgeon may have completed their procedure, the work of an anesthesia team continues. Quality care must continue to be provided post-surgery. Close monitoring of the final step in a safe patient journey is critical and should not be rushed or otherwise overlooked. These precautionary measures help prevent many post-discharge adverse events.

Conclusion

Thorough patient assessments are key to safe patient care. Better outcomes and safer delivery of care are achieved when assessments are performed, especially when related information is subsequently shared with an entire care team. Shared information from assessments provides the care team a collective mental model of the procedure, identified risks involved and helps establish a plan to mitigate those risks.

The Joint Commission is privileged to partner with our ASC customers on their journey to high reliability. We invite health care organizations to share their questions as well as best practices via our homepage at jointcommission.org.

– Stephen F. Knoll,

director,