Evaluation of Anesthesia Malpractice Files Referred to the Isfahan Legal Medical Center in 2009-2015

Aims: Today with increasing the number of surgeries and their variety, malpractice complaints against are increased. The aim of this study was to recognize the causes and effective factors in injuries lead to the anesthesia malpractice. Instruments and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out on the files of malpractice complains against the anesthesia care team in the Isfahan Legal Medical Center in 2009-2015. The subjects were analyzed through descriptive statistic using SPSS 23 software. Findings: 60 files related to the anesthesia field were investigated which in 28 files (46.7%) malpractice of anesthesia care team were confirmed and in all records, the anesthesiologist was the culprit. Anesthesia method in 73.3% of cases was general anesthesia and most of the surgical procedures (86.7%) were elective surgeries. In 38 cases, the result was the death of the patients and autopsy were performed in 29 cases (76.2%). The mechanism of injury in 29 cases (48.3%) was respiratory system disorders. Conclusion: Depending on the specific conditions in the operating rooms, visits of patients by before surgery, performing required tests and advice, perception in determining the anesthesia in elective surgery, pay attention to the patient's respiratory system function during surgery, anesthesia and in recovery status very necessary to reduce the anesthesia errors. As well as it is necessary to have an autopsy of the corpse in the case of a patient's death or impairment in order to identify the culprit easily.