Patient Safety Update Published

The Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG) has published its latest Patient Safety Update, which contains important learning regarding reported anaesthesia-related untoward incidents.

This update is based on case reports from July-September 2019, and includes items relating to:

• Misadministration of potassium
• Use of incorrect blood test to monitor anticoagulation
• Wrong site block
• Intravenous injection of bupivacaine
• Tracheal tube changes in intensive care
• Misplaced nasogastric tube
• Transfers
• Reliable communication of abnormal test results and timely discussion of results
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Handover
• Retained guidewires

SALG is keen to bring these updates to the attention of as many anaesthetists as possible, so we hope that all members will read the update and disseminate it widely among their colleagues.