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COMPUTERS AND THE ANAESTHETIST
"/ would have everie man write what he knowes and no
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF
more."—MONTAIGNE
ANAESTHESIA OCTOBER 1971
VOLUME 43, No. 10
EDITORIAL ANAESTHETIST
interpretation of results, for no computer can compensate for inadequacies in a model system. The possibilities for the employment of computers in the analysis of data concerning, for example, e.c.g. and e.e.g. traces, and arterial presThe excellent Symposium entitled "Computer sure, are considerable and attractive. Despite the Application in Anesthesiology", held at the Fourth proven workability of such analysis and the speed World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, served to with which results can be obtained, thus enabling focus attention on the numerous ways in which modifications of treatment to be made without computers can be gainfully employed. Their uses delay, this facility remains a dream so far as most in research, in teaching, in the operating theatre anaesthetists are concerned. Perhaps the cost of systems of this kind is an and in the intensive care unit were described. For important factor militating against widespread several years the Research Department of Anaesthetics of the Royal College of Surgeons of application. On the other hand, the ability of the England has played a leading role in developing computer to store, retrieve and analyze data needs the use of computers in relation to monitoring in to be put to much wider use in connection with records of anaesthetics. Computerized records, anaesthesia. however, are no more reliable than the information Yet, despite the spectacular feats that can be fed into them, and it is only where careful patient accomplished with the aid of computers, it remains follow-up is combined with careful record-keeping true that the daily work of the vast majority of during anaesthesia that the effort and not inconanaesthetists is uninfluenced by their potentialities. siderable expenditure involved will be worthwhile. Apart from the assistance that the computer might Most of us think of computers as belonging to give to the problems of hospital administration, a world apart. Adoption of this attitude is unwise, and this includes making the most efficient use of since it is only likely to lead to denial of the theatres and of anaesthetists' time, the clinical benefits that could flow from wider application of applications of computers in anaesthesia might computers in clinical medicine. The technology is seem fairly limited, although it has been shown available. Time, enthusiasm and more money are that they have a place in clinical trials. needed to study ways in which these expensive In the field of the uptake, distribution, and facilities can be put to use to provide better patient elimination of anaesthetic drugs, the computer has care in relation to anaesthesia and intensive contributed much to the analysis of data. The therapy. Anaesthetists should be encouraged to information derived can now be almost too readily explore and exploit the possibilities open to them obtained. Caution is necessary, however, in the in this field. Everyone is aware of the existence of computers and most have a general idea of the uses to which they can be put. Only a few, however, have a clear conception of the possible applications in everyday anaesthetic practice.
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Bath Library & Learning Centre on June 7, 2015
COMPUTERS AND THE
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF
more."—MONTAIGNE
ANAESTHESIA OCTOBER 1971
VOLUME 43, No. 10
EDITORIAL ANAESTHETIST
interpretation of results, for no computer can compensate for inadequacies in a model system. The possibilities for the employment of computers in the analysis of data concerning, for example, e.c.g. and e.e.g. traces, and arterial presThe excellent Symposium entitled "Computer sure, are considerable and attractive. Despite the Application in Anesthesiology", held at the Fourth proven workability of such analysis and the speed World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, served to with which results can be obtained, thus enabling focus attention on the numerous ways in which modifications of treatment to be made without computers can be gainfully employed. Their uses delay, this facility remains a dream so far as most in research, in teaching, in the operating theatre anaesthetists are concerned. Perhaps the cost of systems of this kind is an and in the intensive care unit were described. For important factor militating against widespread several years the Research Department of Anaesthetics of the Royal College of Surgeons of application. On the other hand, the ability of the England has played a leading role in developing computer to store, retrieve and analyze data needs the use of computers in relation to monitoring in to be put to much wider use in connection with records of anaesthetics. Computerized records, anaesthesia. however, are no more reliable than the information Yet, despite the spectacular feats that can be fed into them, and it is only where careful patient accomplished with the aid of computers, it remains follow-up is combined with careful record-keeping true that the daily work of the vast majority of during anaesthesia that the effort and not inconanaesthetists is uninfluenced by their potentialities. siderable expenditure involved will be worthwhile. Apart from the assistance that the computer might Most of us think of computers as belonging to give to the problems of hospital administration, a world apart. Adoption of this attitude is unwise, and this includes making the most efficient use of since it is only likely to lead to denial of the theatres and of anaesthetists' time, the clinical benefits that could flow from wider application of applications of computers in anaesthesia might computers in clinical medicine. The technology is seem fairly limited, although it has been shown available. Time, enthusiasm and more money are that they have a place in clinical trials. needed to study ways in which these expensive In the field of the uptake, distribution, and facilities can be put to use to provide better patient elimination of anaesthetic drugs, the computer has care in relation to anaesthesia and intensive contributed much to the analysis of data. The therapy. Anaesthetists should be encouraged to information derived can now be almost too readily explore and exploit the possibilities open to them obtained. Caution is necessary, however, in the in this field. Everyone is aware of the existence of computers and most have a general idea of the uses to which they can be put. Only a few, however, have a clear conception of the possible applications in everyday anaesthetic practice.
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Bath Library & Learning Centre on June 7, 2015
COMPUTERS AND THE