Anesthesia Information Management System: Current Status and Vision for Future Development

Abstract

  Most modern automated anesthesia record systems are sophisticated information systems, which not only keep an anesthesia record automatically, but also handle a wide variety of data relevant to anesthetic management, and are currently called Anesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS). With the advancement of computer and related technologies, AIMS have achieved acceptable performance for routine clinical use. However, there exists some room for improvement. Man-machine interfaces are key components of AIMS. Ubiquitous devices such as a personal digital assistant are an example of a potential man-machine interface for data entry. Data display is another target for improvement. The display of vital signs on an AIMS screen should be reformatted to that which makes full use of the characteristics of a computer and a bitmap screen. The development of methods for use of the data in an AIMS database is also important. Newer features that are currently being implemented in some AIMS include a full-time digital recording of waveform data such as ECG, and a real-time display of drug concentrations based on pharmacokinetic simulation.