Staffing & Direction

STANDARD 2 - STAFFING AND DIRECTION

The anaesthesia service is directed and staffed to achieve the objectives of the service.

2. CRITERIA

2.1 Staffing in an anaesthesia service is based on the principle that anaesthesia is performed only by appropriately qualified and/or experienced medical practitioners or by supervised medical graduates (anaesthesia trainees).

INTERPRETATION

It is expected that appointments in anaesthesia will be made on the basis of demonstrated competence and availability and the following categories may be considered:

	Fully trained and certified specialists
	Medical practitioners who do not possess a specialist qualification in anaesthesia but who currently perform anaesthesia on a full time basis as accredited trainees.

2.2 Staffing is adequate to ensure that the same standard of anaesthetic competence is available for emergency, obstetric and diagnostic procedures, as is provided for elective procedures.

INTERPRETATION

The facility must be able to demonstrate that it maintains a reliable 24 hour service, e.g. by means of a roster of appointed anaesthetists.

2.3 Trainees in anaesthesia are adequately supervised to the standards set down by the training authority. In particular, specialist support out-of-hours is essential.

2.4 Resident medical officers administering anaesthetics are directly supervised by an appropriately qualified and/or experienced anaesthetist.

2.5 Sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to provide assistance to anaesthetists, as well as support staff, are employed to allow for the efficient operation of the service.