No abstract

The anesthetist must be present and care for the patient throughout the conduct of an anaesthetic. * b. Minimum monitoring devices (as defined in the recommendations) must be attached before induction of anesthesia and their use continued until the patient has recovered from the effects of anesthesia. The same standards of monitoring is applied when the anesthetist is responsible for local/regional anesthesia or sedative techniques. ** c. A summary of information provided by all monitoring devices should be recorded on the anesthetic record. Automated electronic anesthetic record systems that also provide a printed copy are recommended.d. The anesthetist must ensure that all anesthetic equipment, including relevant monitoring equipment, has been checked before use. Alarm limits for all equipment must be set appropriately before use. The appropriate audible alarms should be enabled during anesthesia.e. These recommendations state the monitoring devices that are essential ('minimum' monitoring) and those that must be immediately available during anesthesia. If it is absolutely necessary to continue anesthesia without an essential monitor, the anesthetist should note the reasons in the anesthetic record.f. Additional monitoring may be necessary as judged appropriate by the anesthetist.g. Minimum monitoring should be used during the transfer of anaesthetized patients.h. Provision, maintenance, calibration and renewal of equipment are the responsibilities of the institution in which anesthesia is delivered. The institution should have processes for taking advice from departments of anesthesia in matters of equipment procurement and maintenance.