Good practice and safety

Abstract

This introductory chapter is intended to emphasise the importance of two fundamental duties: the anaesthetist looking after the patient, and the anaesthetist looking after themselves. Looking after the patient requires building a culture of good practice, and encompasses perioperative safety, the causes of complications, briefing and debriefing, documentation, drug safety, vigilance and crisis management, handling of serious events, and evidence-based medicine. Self-care encompasses resilience, recognition of fatigue and burnout, mental health issues among anaesthetists, working while pregnant, personal protective equipment, manual handling, and dealing with a complaint.