Enhancing the safety, quality and productivity of perioperative care.

Patient safety is paramount within anaesthesia. It has been estimated that two thirds of all hospital inpatients receive care from anaesthetists during their stay. Research findings within this specialty will therefore have a widespread influence on practice across different specialties. Based at the Lancaster Patient Safety Research Unit and working in collaboration with the Anaesthesia Review Group of the Cochrane Collaboration, this project aims to

identify clinical questions in perioperative care with uncertainty about best practice

summarise the available evidence in a series of systematic reviews

disseminate results to clinicians and health policy-makers

highlight topics where further research is needed

build research capacity in the health service

Materials and Methods:

To increase the links between research and clinical practice, we have varied local and national contacts to help us select questions for the systematic reviews and for widespread dissemination of our results. Topics have been contributed by local clinicians and specialist registrars across the UK and two registrars are now involved in planning and carrying out their suggested reviews. Our results, particularly when we highlight an inadequate evidence base, may help prioritise the research agenda both locally and for national funders. We are developing a patient forum within the local area to suggest topics relevant to patients, comment on results, assist with reviews and help with dissemination. In addition to the core staff of systematic reviewers and the investigators, clinicians will contribute as mentors or carrying out reviews.

Progress:

We have secured £420,000 of funding over three years as a National Institute for Health Research and Cochrane Collaboration Programme grant. Work commenced in August 2011. Topics we are currently working on include:

Safety : Thermal insulation for the preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia

Quality: Anaesthetic techniques for obese patients

Productivity: Safety and effectiveness of different anaesthetic providers

Staff:

Sharon Lewis

Amanda Nicholson

Phil Alderson

Andrew Smith