Continuous improvement of safety in the Intensive Care and Surgical environment according to UNE 179003:2013 standard: 8 years experience. / Mejora continua de la seguridad en el ámbito de un Servicio de Anestesiología y Cuidados Intensivos a través de la certificación según la norma de UNE 179003:2013: 8 años de experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: The UNE 179003:2013 standard requires compliance with protocols to reduce the risks of patients from adverse events. METHODS: A description is presented of the procedure used in the Hospital Povisa to achieve UNE 179003:2010 certification for the intensive care unit, surgical division, and post-anaesthesia recovery unit (PARU). This was based on a risk management system, focusing on pro-active analysis using failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) with the description of causes, consequences, risk weighting, and specific risk-minimising measures. A description is also presented of the analysis of reported adverse events (reactive analysis) in the Safety in Anesthesia and Resuscitation (SENSAR) notification system and the measures implemented over an eight-year period. RESULTS: The UNE 179003:2010 certification was obtained in July 2012, and the re-certification was achieved in July 2015. A total of 66 potential risks were established, which were weighted using a risk probability index (RPI), and measures were implemented that reduced this RPI by half. It also reflects the analysis of 1114 events declared in the SENSAR system over the past eight years, allowing for the introduction of 2681 measures, of which 98.4% are fully implemented. CONCLUSION: The application of the risk management methodology allowed (a) to improve safety in the area of action by reducing the risk to which the patients are subject, and (b) to gain certification in the UNE 179003 standard.

Prospective analysis of the complications, efficacy, and satisfaction level on the sedation performed by anaesthetists in gastrointestinal endoscopy. / Análisis prospectivo de las complicaciones, eficacia y grado de satisfacción en la sedación realizada por anestesiólogos en endoscopia digestiva.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the anaesthesia/sedation complications during gastrointestinal endoscopy, as well as comparing scheduled procedures versus urgent procedures. METHODS: A protocol was developed to define the anaesthesia/sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy, where the anaesthetist should always be present. These include ASA 3 and 4 patients, complex tests such as polypectomies, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or endoscopic ultrasound, deep sedation, or patients with probable difficult airway management. An analysis was made of the safety based on the complications recorded from the data directly collected automatically from the monitors, both during the sedation and in the recovery unit. An analysis was also performed on the risk factors associated with cardiorespiratory complications, the effectiveness based on the completed tests and the overall level of satisfaction through an interview using a satisfaction scale. RESULTS: The study included a total of 3746 patients over a 7 year-period. The incidence of major complications was low, especially haemodynamic and respiratory complications. An incidence of hypoxaemia of 3% was found in scheduled endoscopy versus 5.7% in urgent endoscopy (P<.05). The rate of hypotension was also low, with significant differences between scheduled and urgent endoscopy (6.4% vs. 18.8%, P<.001). In present study, no test had to be suspended due to poor patient tolerance, and the satisfaction was high in more than 99% of cases. CONCLUSION: The participation of the anaesthetist in sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy has shown excellent results in this study, in terms of safety and efficacy, mainly in the most serious patients and complex tests, as well as a high level of satisfaction.

Organ donation in an aging population: the experience of the last 8 years in Galicia.

BACKGROUND: Mean organ donor age has increased in recent years, conditioned by causes of death and population profile. We analyzed organ donation in Galicia during the last 8 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed donors in Galicia between 2000 and 2007, studying age, cause of death, donation effectiveness, and organs transplanted per donor. RESULTS: Donation rates fluctuated between 29 and 35 donors per million population (pmp) during the study period. Mean donor age increased from 51.6 years (Spain, 47.1 years) in 2000 to 63.3 years (Spain, 53.4 years) in 2007. Donors of 75 years or older increased from 7.5% to 27.2%. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as cause of death rose from 57% in 2000 to 75.3% in 2007. The variations in the proportions of organs transplanted between 2000 and 2007 were: kidney, 68.8% to 53.7%; liver, 86% to 88.9%; heart, 33.5% to 9.9%; and lung, 10.8% to 9.9%. Valid transplanted organs per donor decreased from 2.8 to 2.2, and effective donors from 93.5% (Spain, 90.3%) to 92.6% (Spain, 87.8%) with a mean of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: The population in Galicia has aged considerably and is widely dispersed. Despite the increased mean donor age, the percentage of effective donors has not diminished and donor rates have remained stable. This reflects the extremely conscientious attitude of transplant coordinators and the high degree of activity of transplant teams in Galicia.