Clinical Audit on the Practice of Documentation at Preanesthetic Evaluation in a Specialized University Hospital

BACKGROUND: Performing preanesthetic evaluation, documenting, and keeping readily accessible record are responsibilities of anesthetists. Documentation can improve overall patient outcome. It also has an irreplaceable role in medico-legal aspects. Documentation is one of the challenges of providing quality care. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of documentation practice during preanesthetic visits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical audit was conducted in the University of Gondar Hospital. Predefined 22 practice quality indicators were prepared according to modified global quality index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: A total of 122 preanesthetic evaluation tools (PAETs) were reviewed. None of PAETs found fully completed according to the indicators. Trends differ between elective and emergency conditions. Indicators with high completion rate (>90%) were signed a consent, medical history, history of medication, allergy, anesthesia and surgery, cardiopulmonary examination, airway examination, preoperative diagnosis, and planned procedure. Anesthetic plan, vital signs, a name, per-oral status, premedication, and age were found with below average (<50%) completion rate. CONCLUSIONS: Documentation practice during the preanesthetic visit was below the standard. Unclear instructions should be replaced with standardized contents. Providing regular trainings on clinical documentation for students and staffs, and introducing modern electronic-based documentation system and preanesthetic clinics may improve the practice.