Audit activity should include the regular analysis and multidisciplinary review of untoward incidents. Serious events and near misses must be thoroughly investigated and reported to the relevant national agency, in line with national requirements. Learning from serious events and near misses should be fed back to the MDT.86
There should be continuing audit of all children transferred between hospitals for surgery. ODNs and local hospitals should work in partnership to monitor this.
Anaesthesia research in children should be facilitated when possible and should follow strict ethical standards.87
Anaesthetists who care for children and young people should be familiar with relevant patient safety issues.88
Families should be provided with written or web-based resources that provide information specific to anaesthesia before the planned surgery/procedure, and contact details for the preassessment team should be provided in case they have further questions or need to speak directly with their anaesthetist.89 The leaflet ‘Information for Teenagers, Children and Parents’ is available from the RCoA website...
Information provided preoperatively should include:
Young children have an increased incidence of postoperative delirium. Recovery staff should have an increased awareness for the management of this condition.
Information provided postoperatively should include the safe use of analgesia after surgery and discharge from hospital, and what to do and who to contact in the event of a problem or concern. This should include telephone numbers where advice may be sought 24 hours a day.
Information should be clear and consistent. It should be given verbally and also in written and/or electronic form.97
Children should receive information before admission that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding. Information can be provided at face-to-face meetings by nurses and play therapists, and can be enhanced with booklets, web links, online apps or videos.98
