(Originally presented by Dr Philip Collins)

Special Committee Investigating Deaths Under Anaesthesia (SCIDUA)

In NSW there is mandatory reporting of all deaths which occur while under, as a result of, or within 24 hours after the administration of anaesthesia or sedation regardless of whether it is a Coroner’s case or not.

  • Anaesthesia is very safe
  • Risk of dying under anaesthesia is 1 in 27,500 procedures and a direct mortality caused by anaesthesia of 1 in 220,000 procedures

2017 Special Report Summary:

  • 500 deaths reviewed by SCIDUA
  • 48 deaths where anaesthetic factors thought to have played a role
  • 35 (73%) had no correctable factors which could have improved anaesthetic management
  • 13 (27%) had correctable factors:
    • inappropriate drug doses
    • poor planning
    • inadequate airway management
    • inadequate ventilation
    • inadequate monitoring

Links:

SCIDUA Website

SCIDUA 2017 Report