Preparedness for emergencies and complications: Proactive planning and multidisciplinary approaches

© 2020 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Preparation for emergencies and unanticipated situations in clinical routine is not just a short term proactive drill. Rather, the learning curve follows a long lag and log phase with passing time as we face numerous adverse situations, which become part of not only our learning but of teaching tool as well. Patient safety is of utmost concern whenever any research work is undertaken.Although these research studies are done in a controlled atmosphere under supervision, but still there are probabilities that one may face unexpected or predictable complications for which our attentiveness will definitely help in overcoming the calamity.[1]As the subject of medicine is so vast, involvement of multidisciplinary team (MDT) members from different specialties in these activities can potentially help in overcoming many of the shortcomings in patient care so as to pave way for safe anesthesia and surgery. The presence of MDT members will create a wider thinking pattern of overcoming the problems as well as present a divergent view of the associated weaknesses and potential complications thereby enhancing the safety of the patients. Even in our routine professional life we may face such situation that strikes us by surprise and shock for which we may not be adequately prepared. More importantly, in some circumstances we may not get adequate professional help especially in practitioner’s sphere, where the situation can turn into disaster. Therefore, the clinical guidelines formulated till date for almost every anticipated complication necessitate proper preparation and proactive anaesthesia planning before undertaking any surgical procedure.