Anesthetists and pilots have often being compared. Like anesthetists, pilots have to monitor and adjust many parameters. An anesthetists looks at factors such as circuit, ventilation ,circulation , depth , positioning etc, while pilots similarly have to deal with a variety of aspects such as height , speed, direction, fuel, and engine performance.
In both professions , there is a grave risk of focussing on some aspects and ignoring others. For an example , if a pilot concentrated only on the most obvious items such as height , speed and direction , he or she could easily miss monitoring fuel consumption which could lead to a disaster. Similarly an anesthetist might focus on occasional ventricular ectopics appearing on the screen and completely miss out that the vaporiser has run out. This is more likely with long cases, exhaustion , and / or when the case isn't going well.
Pilots get around this problem by using a scanning technique. This basically involves monitoring their instruments in a regular systematic way so that they don't miss out anything. Their eyes scan the instruments in a particular pattern and make adjustments to the flight accordingly. With regular practice it becomes effortless and quick.
Anesthetists can also get around this problem by developing a scanning technique to go over systems in an organised way so as to not miss anything of importance. When done regularly , it becomes effortless, quick and useful. "Rapid Anesthesia Scan" is one such scanning technique you can use.
If a scan technique is to move from paper (or computer screen !) to practical use in the operating room , it must be capable of being remembered easily. This scan tries to achieve this by using headings similar to ABC's that are familiar to all. It is also logically arranged to make it easy to remember and deal with .
Being a short scan , it can be mastered quickly and easily done routinely. However, like anything else , it too has a learning curve and you will have to persevere for at least half a morning before it yields its fruits.
Use this scan at your own risk. It is presented for your consideration with good intentions , but I do not in any way claim it to be a perfect, error free system. However , PLEASE provide your feedback by clicking on any of the "contact" links.
Click on the link "Description" below for a brief description of the scan from beginning to end.