PATIENT SAFETY IN ANESTHESIA: REVIEW OF BASIC PROTOCOLS AND CHALLENGES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Patient safety in anesthesia is a central theme in medical practice, given the complexity of procedures and the inherent risks associated with the use of anesthetic agents. Since the introduction of the first monitoring protocols to the most recent recommendations from international societies, significant progress has been made in reducing adverse events and anesthesia-related mortality. However, important challenges remain, such as variable adherence to guidelines, resource limitations in different hospital contexts, and the need for continuous training of the multidisciplinary team. Among the basic measures, the use of perioperative checklists, mandatory minimum monitoring, individualized anesthetic planning, and effective communication among team members are highlighted. Furthermore, strengthening the safety culture and implementing adverse event reporting systems contribute to improving anesthetic practice. This review compiles recent evidence on anesthesia safety protocols and discusses the main challenges to their effective implementation.