Organisational failures in urgent and emergency surgery. A potential peri-operative risk factor.

Medical error is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Organisational failure in the pre-operative period has been associated with catastrophic outcome. Little information is available regarding peri-operative organisational problems. The incidence and nature of organisational failure before urgent and emergency surgery in a district general hospital was studied prospectively in 159 cases over a 30-day period. Organisational failure affected more than half of the cases overall, but varied in both its incidence and its complexity between surgical disciplines. Various causative factors were identified, e.g. 8% of cases were subject to delay due to clinical emergencies. The median [range] time required to rectify the problems was 115 [5-750] min. A consultant anaesthetist and surgeon were present in 30 and 20% of cases, respectively. Difficulty with the preparation of patients for emergency surgery is an important but underevaluated cause of medical error that may put patients at risk.

The effect of a heat and moisture exchanger on gas flow in a Mapleson F breathing system during inhalational induction.

Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) humidify, warm and filter inspired gas, protecting patients and apparatus during anaesthesia. Their incorporation into paediatric anaesthetic breathing systems is recommended. We experienced delays in inhalational induction whilst using a Mapleson F breathing system with an HME. We have demonstrated that the HME significantly alters gas flow within the breathing system. Approximately half of the fresh gas flow is delivered to the patient, the remainder being wasted into the expiratory limb of the breathing system. We suggest that the HME should be removed from the Mapleson F breathing system until inhalational induction is complete, or that the reservoir bag is completely occluded until an effective seal is obtained with the mask.