Learning from anesthesia mishaps: analysis of critical incidents in anesthesia helps reduce patient risk.

Human error and mechanical failure in anesthesia frequently cause incidents which, if not detected and corrected in time, could lead to increased patient morbidity or mortality. A study was conducted to analyze the human and technical factors that contribute to such incidents. The data thus obtained proved useful in reducing preventable anesthesia mishaps in specific institutions and generated recommendations for improving anesthesia practice in general.