Culture of Safety of Anesthesia

Abstract

　Anesthesia is one of the best medical discoveries. The first general anesthesia was given in Japan on October 13, 1804, but this achievement was not recognized in the world due to the closure of Japan. After the first demonstration of ether anesthesia in Boston, USA in 1846, anesthesia quickly spread to the world. The incidence of death-related anesthesia-related accidents was quite high in the early era of anesthesia. The incidence of death during anesthesia was as high as 1 in 1,000 anesthetics in 1890s. The incidence of anesthesia-related deaths was still high, i.e. about 1:1500 in the 1950s. There was no systematic approach to the anesthesia-related accidents. Global movement to improve the safety and quality of anesthesia care has started in the 1980s by collecting and analyzing big data. In addition to many guidelines on anesthesia safety, the development of monitors, anesthesia machines with many safety features, and easily controllable medications make anesthesia safer. Vigilance is the foundation of an anesthetic safety culture. Anesthesiologists will make every effort to make perioperative care including anesthetic treatment safer to aim zero mortality and less morbidity.