Purpose: Since 1997, the Anaesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS) in our department has produced extensive data material (DGAI core data, vital sign parameters, respiratory parameters, material consumed, etc.) which is stored in a relational data bank. The processing of this data by means of SQL queries was restricted to a few persons with special knowledge only. It was the objective of the project to create an evaluation tool which enables each member of the department to enter queries concerning topics such as efficiency records, quality management, training and research at any time. The tool was also intended to present results in an adequate form.
Methods: Since 1997, the data of the performed anaesthesia procedures have been recorded using the online anaesthesia documentation software NarkoData Version 4 (ProLogic GmbH, Erkrath) within the AIMS. The recorded data sets have been imported into a relational Oracle data bank (Oracle Corporation). The commercial programme Voyant (Brossco Systems, Espoo, Finland) enables for the user to formulate SQL-requests (Structured Query Language) with the help of a graphic user interface and to present the results in a variety of graphics and tables. Repetition of the evaluation using the current data is possible at any time.
Results: During 1997 and the first quarter of 1998, the data of 26,030 anaesthesia procedures have been registered and stored in the anaesthesiological data base. 235 queries could be formulated with the SQL-capable graphic tool Voyant. They are available to each member of the department by the application of NarkoStatistik (IMS GmbH, Giessen) within the AIMS, together with the corresponding documentation (HTML pages). The query catalogue covers the main topics of efficiency, quality management, organisation, diagnoses and surgery, pre-, intra- and postoperative data and day-care unit. Even without much previous experience with the system it is possible to carry out evaluations with the current data at selected AIMS terminals. Queries concerning other subjects can be created and can be integrated into the existing query catalogue.
Conclusion: With the described application we are able to establish an evaluation tool which fulfils our expectations regarding user friendliness and the subjects the queries can cover. Today it has a central position within the AIMS. In addition to the anaesthesia documentation software and the data bank structure, the efficiency of an AIMS is mainly influenced by the corresponding evaluation tool.