Assessing The Completeness Of Perioperative Anesthetic Record Documentation In A Tertiary Hospital

Background and Objective: Many previous studies assessing the completeness of perioperative documentation of surgical patients were reported to be inadequate and unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative anesthetic record (PAR) at our tertiary care institution to a standard guideline and have an audit of its completeness.Methodology: It was a prospective, observational study, done in the general operating theater of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). We compared our PAR to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) policy statement on documentation of anesthesia care. We audited the completeness of PAR documentation of 358 patients by using a self-generated checklist which was created in accordance to the PAR parameters. A total of 44 parameters were studied covering three phases; preoperative, peroperative and post-operative phases.Results: Although the UKMMC PAR varied from the ASA guidelines, various salient parameters were identical in both. None of the perioperative forms were completely filled throughout the three perioperative phases. Out of 44 parameters studied, only 2 parameters were completely filled, which were medications administered and fluid therapy.Conclusion: Parameters given in the UKMMC PAR varied with the ASA guidelines and the documentation was found to be only partially complete. Hence, necessary modification of the current PAR in our institution, and the stress on filling it completely is needed to improve the quality of perioperative anesthetic documentation.