Critical incidence reporting systems – an option in equine anaesthesia? Results from a panel meeting.
Abstract: To provide a brief introduction into Critical Incident Reporting Systems (CIRS) as used in human medicine, and to report the discussion from a recent panel meeting discussion with 23 equine anaesthetists in preparation for a new CEPEF-4 (Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities) study. Methods: Moderated group discussions, and review of literature. Methods: The first group discussion focused on the definition of 'preventable critical incidents' and/or 'near misses' in the context of equine anaesthesia. The second group discussion focused on categorizing critical incidents according to an established framework for analysing risk and safety in clinical medicine. Results: While critical incidents do occur in equine anaesthesia, no critical incident reporting system including systematic collection and analysis of critical incidents is in place. Conclusions: Critical incident reporting systems could be used to improve safety in equine anaesthesia - in addition to other study types such as mortality studies.
© 2013 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Publication Date: 2013-07-06 PubMed ID: 23829714DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12065Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines the potential value of using Critical Incident Reporting Systems (CIRS), like those used in human medicine, as tools in equine anaesthesia to improve safety measures. The research is based on a group discussion by a panel of 23 equine anaesthetists preparing for a new Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF-4) study, focusing on how to define, categorize, and manage preventable critical incidents and near misses.
About Critical Incident Reporting Systems (CIRS)
- CIRS are systems used within the medical field, primarily with humans, where critical incidents, preventable errors or ‘near misses’ are systematically analysed and reported to advance safety measures.
- They are vital tools that enable healthcare providers to learn from declared mistakes, identify systemic weaknesses, and implement effective risk management and preventive measures.
The Research Methodology
- The study was conducted by moderating group discussions among 23 equine anaesthetists who were preparing to launch a new CEPEF-4 study.
- The first group discussion was centred around defining ‘preventable critical incidents’ and/or ‘near misses’ in the context of equine anaesthesia.
- The second discussion aimed to categorize these critical incidents using an already established framework for risk and safety analysis in clinical medicine.
- Alongside these discussions, extensive literature reviews were also carried out to supplement the research findings.
Research Findings
- The discussions confirmed that preventable critical incidents and near misses do occur in equine anaesthesia as they do in human medicine.
- However, contrary to the practices in human health, there isn’t any fully operational reporting system for critical incidents in equine anaesthesia.
Conclusions
- Based on the discussions and the literature review, the researchers concluded that integrating Critical Incident Reporting Systems in equine anaesthesia could greatly enhance safety.
- Such a system could complement other types of studies, such as mortality studies, and would facilitate systematic data collection and analysis for the effective management of clinical risk in equine anaesthesia.
Cite This Article
APA
Hartnack S, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Driessen B, Pang D, Wohlfender F.
(2013).
Critical incidence reporting systems – an option in equine anaesthesia? Results from a panel meeting.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 40(6), e3-e8.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12065 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Advisory Committees
- Anesthesia / adverse effects
- Anesthesia / veterinary
- Animals
- Horses / surgery
- Surgery, Veterinary / organization & administration
- Surgical Procedures, Operative / mortality
- Surgical Procedures, Operative / veterinary
- Task Performance and Analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Wagai G, Togao M, Otsuka J, Ohta-Takada Y, Kado S, Kawakami K. Development of incident severity classification for laboratory animals. Exp Anim 2022 Feb 9;71(1):22-27.
- Rose N, Pang DSJ. A practical guide to implementing clinical audit. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):145-152.
- Giles G, Boland LA, Kirkwood N, Ward MP, Quain A. Categorising reported errors and incidents from morbidity and mortality meetings (M&Ms) in a small animal multi-specialty veterinary teaching hospital. Aust Vet J 2025 May;103(5):267-275.
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