Current status of existing quality management in anaesthesiology. Provision and practical implementation of quality management systems and safety protocols in anaesthesia practice

Background: The establishment of quality management systems (QMS) in German hospitals has become manda- tory due to the Quality Management Directive of the "German Joint Federal Committee [Gemeinsamer Bundesaus- schuss]. Additionally, the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine published discipline specific quality indicators. This study provides an overview of the structure of QMS in general anaesthesiology departments and university hospitals, the implemen-tation of selected quality indicators, and their training.Methods: An online survey with a total of 14 questions was sent to a sample of anaesthesiology clinics (general clinics) and university hospitals via email. The sample size was estimated to comprise 108 clinics based on case planning. After randomisation, 540 general clinics and all university hospitals were contacted, assuming a response rate of 20 %.Results: 79.4 % (108 / 136) of the general anaesthesiology departments and 79.1 % (19 / 24) of the university hospitals have their own quality management officer. 39.7 % (54 / 136) of the general anaes-thesiology departments and 54.2 % (13 / 24) of the university hospitals are certified by an external auditor. None of the surveyed clinics possess all the safety protocols that are recommended. 86 % (117 / 136) of the general anaesthesiology departments and 95.8 % (23 / 24) of the university hospitals possess safety pro-tocols for difficult airway management. Safety protocols are most commonly dis-seminated by way of simple distribution, internal training courses or workshops.