Handover Responsibilities of the Anaesthetist
Handover may occur:
- During anaesthesia
May be:- Temporary
- Permanent
- After anaesthesia
To PACU or ICU/
The anaesthetist remains responsible for patient care:
- Whilst the patient is in the recovery room
- Until the patient has been handed over to another suitably qualified medical practitioner
Handover During Anaesthesia
Principles:
- Relieving anaesthetist must be competent to manage the patient
- Patient should be clinically stable
- All relevant factors should be explained
Including:- PMHx and HOPC
- Surgery
Procedure, state, and implications. - Anaesthetic technique:
- Airway
- IV line and location
- Fluid management
- Drugs and infusions
- Observations
- Temporary anaesthetist should not substantially change the anaesthetic management
Handover After Anaesthesia
Principles:
- Care is shared between:
- Anaesthetist
- Proceduralist
- Nursing staff
- Formal handover should:
- Occur when the the patient is stable
- Include instructions relating to:
- Relevant aspects of anaesthetic technique
- Airways
- Throat packs
- IV and arterial devices
- Epidurals
- Drug infusions
- Residual block
- Relevant aspects of surgery
- Clinical observations and reportable levels
- Analgesia
- PONV
- Fluid therapy
- Relevant aspects of anaesthetic technique
- Patients should not be discharged from recovery until discharge criteria are satisfied