Background: Anaesthesia Databank Switzerland (ADS) is a voluntary data registry introduced in 1996. The goal was to promote quality in anaesthesiology.
Methods: Analysis of routinely recorded adverse events. Internal and external benchmark comparisons between anaesthesia departments.
Results: In 2010, the database included 2'158'735 anaesthetic procedures. Forty-four anaesthesia departments were participating to the data collection in 2010. Over time, the number of patients in older age groups increased, the largest group being patients aged 50 to 64 years. Over time, the percentage of patients with ASA physical status score 1 decreased while the number of ASA 2 or 3 patients increased. The most frequent co-morbidities were hypertension (21%), smoking (16%), allergy (15%), and obesity (12%). Between 1996 and 2010, 146'459 adverse events were recorded, of which 34% were cardiovascular, 7% respiratory, 39% specific to anaesthesia and 17% nonspecific. The overall proportion of adverse events decreased over time, whatever their severity.
Conclusion: The ADS routine data collection contributes to monitoring the trends of anaesthesia care in Switzerland
