Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner

Gisborne Hospital 1999 – 2000
Operating Theatre Protocols
2.7 Notification of the handover to the consultant anaesthetist (in the
case of a trainee) and to the operating surgeon.
3. Temporary relief of the anaesthetists
This is necessary when the primary anaesthetist must leave the patient
but will return to resume management of the patient.
3.1 The primary anaesthetist will only leave while the patient is in a
stable state and no potential adverse events are likely to occur.
3.2 The relieving anaesthetist must have had all facts relevant to safe
management adequately explained.
3.3 The relieving anaesthetist should not substantially change the
anaesthetic management without conferring with the primary
anaesthetist except in an emergency.
3.4 The primary anaesthetist must be available to return at short
notice.”
14.14 The applicable standards in relation to the “Responsibilities of the
Anaesthetist in the Post-Operative Period” are set out in Review P20 (1996):
1. The anaesthetist has major responsibility for the management of the
patient recovering from anaesthesia. During this time, responsibility is
shared with the surgeon or other consultant for consultative advice with
respect to:
monitoring (including clinical observations),
pain relief,
fluid therapy, and
1.4 respiratory therapy.
2. The anaesthetist has responsibility for ensuring that the patient recovers
safely from anaesthesia in an area appropriately equipped and staffed for
that purpose.
This responsibility includes:
A formal handover of responsibility to recovery area staff with
appropriate briefing as to management protocols. Such a handover of
care should only occur when the anaesthetist considers that the patient is
safe to leave, particularly with regard to cardio-respiratory stability.
Availability to deal with any unexpected problems or ensuring that
another nominated anaesthetist or other consultant is available and has
necessary information about the patient.
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