An integrated graphic data display improves detection and identification of critical events during anesthesia

Objective. To show that an integrated graphic data display can shorten thetime taken to detect and correctly identify critical events during anesthesia.Methods. We developed a graphic display which presents 30 anesthesia-relatedphysiologic variables as shapes and colors, rather than traditional digits andwaveforms. To evaluate the new display, we produced four critical events ona computer-based anesthesia simulator and asked two groups of fiveanesthesiologists to identify the events as quickly as possible. One groupobserved the new display while the other group viewed a traditionalcardiovascular monitor with digital and waveform displays. Results. The groupwhich observed the integrated graphic display saw changes caused by inadequateparalysis 2.4 min sooner, and changes caused by a cuff leak 3.1 min soonerthan those observing the traditional display. The integrated display groupcorrectly identified the reason for the change 2.8 min sooner for inadequateparalysis, 3.1 min sooner for cuff leak and 3.1 min sooner for bleeding. Thesedifferences were all statistically significant. Conclusions. The results showthat some simulated critical events are detected and correctly identifiedsooner, when an anesthesiologist views an integrated graphic display, ratherthan a traditional digital/waveform monitor.

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