Computer Based Patient Record for Anaesthesia -Department of anaesthesia has to invest and use Anaesthesia Information Management

System(AIR). -This online record keeping system is safeguard,for both patient snad doctors. -In the era of Consumer Protection Act(CPA),Right to Information Act,and considering medicolegal aspects,records of detailed information,keeps the doctors in safe hands;when questions of medical negligence arises. ADVANTAGES 1)A properly prepared record,accurately documenting the progress of anaesthesia is of value not only to the anaesthetist,detecting untoward trends during the case but also is important to staff involved in postoperative care of the patients. 2)Difficult to record vitals during induction and recovery,data is recorded retrospectively. COMPONENTS 1)Hardware 2)Software FUTURE PROSPECTS 1)Individual Patients 2)Anaesthesia practice 3)Management function

1)Individual patient -Better care through better records. -better ergonomics for anaesthesiologist. 2)Anaesthesia practice -quality assessment function. -outcomes assessment. -education. -medicolegal protection, 3)Management functions -Tabulation of services -Cost *systemic analysis of drugs. *cost effective utilization of drugs. -Resource utilization *time of periop events-admission to OR -induction -surgical incision Precisely documented. *Compliance with accredition agencies.

SELECTION OF AIMS SHOULD BE USER SPECIFIC WITH FOLLOWING CRITERIA i)anticipated scope of AIMS -the department of anaesthesia must define the activities to be recorded *Preop,intraop and postop *PACU,ICU,ICCU. *labor and delivery units. *pain clinics,trauma care centre *MRI,cath lab ii)Interaction of AIMS and AAR iii)Interfacing other systems with AIMS -with AIMS,it is easily possible to include ADT(admission,dischargs,transfer)system,an OR management system,laboratory data retrieval system,drug supply,patient billing and accounting sytem. CONCLUSION An attentive,meticulously vigilant anaesthesiologist with the help of detailed record keeping and good knowledge of current trends in the practice is less likely to be judged negligent in case of his patients care.