Safety of Non-Operating Room Anesthesia: A Closed Claims Update

Abstract

Malpractice claims for non-operating room anesthesia care (NORA) had a higher proportion of claims for death than claims in operating rooms (ORs). NORA claims most frequently involved monitored anesthesia care. Inadequate oxygenation/ventilation was responsible for one-third of NORA claims, often judged probably preventable by better monitoring. Fewer malpractice claims for NORA occurred than for OR anesthesia as assessed by the relative numbers of in NORA versus OR procedures. The proportion of claims in cardiology and radiology NORA locations were increased compared with estimates of cases in these locations. Although NORA is safe, adherence to safe clinical practice is important.

Keywords: Cardiology; Closed claims; Gastroenterology; Medical malpractice; Non–operating room anesthesia (NORA); Radiology; Remote anesthesia; Sedation.