Compliance With World Health Organization (WHO)-World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFAS) Standards for General Anesthesia at Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Patient safety in anaesthesia has significantly improved over the past decades, largely due to pharmacological and technological advancements, as well as the widespread adoption of guidelines and standards recommended by international organisations. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of anaesthesia and its compliance with the international standards for safe anaesthesia practice recommended by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This study also describes the operating room within Ibn Sina University Hospital Centre (CHUIS) of Rabat, Morocco, the referral centre, with the aim of identifying its potential and shortcomings.

METHODS: This was a prospective analytical descriptive study from March 1, 2021, to July 31, 2021. All facilities within an operating room and information regarding patients undergoing general anaesthesia, whether it be emergency or scheduled procedures, administered by an anaesthetist, were included. A survey form based on the WHO-WFSA International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia was used to collect data about the anaesthesia sites. Sources of information included direct observation of anaesthesia procedures, patient records, registers, and qualified anaesthesia personnel. Manual data analysis and encoding were performed using Microsoft Word and Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States).  Results: All the facilities within the operating rooms of CHUIS were surveyed. In total, 250 patients were recorded, with 43.6% at Ibn Sina Hospital, 18.4% in the Children's Hospital, 14% at the National Institute of Oncology, 12% at the Specialties, 6% at Maternity Hospital Souissi, and 6% at Orangers Maternity Hospital. The median age of patients was 50 years old with 37% of them aged 36-55 years. Overall, 67.6% of these patients were admitted for scheduled interventions. Anaesthetic risk assessment showed that 67.2% of the patients were in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I. Pre-anaesthesia consultations were conducted in 65.6% of cases, and pre-anaesthesia visits were conducted in 89.6% of cases. Anaesthesia checklists were used in 89.6% of cases. General anaesthesia, including tracheal intubation 85.2% and facemask 7.2%, was the most common type of anaesthesia. Regarding anaesthetic agents, propofol was the most used intravenous narcotic, with fentanyl still being used in most cases 92% and rocuronium in 82% of cases. Electrocardiogram, non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oxygen saturation (SPO2) monitoring were consistently used, while capnography was not available in 6% of cases. Crystalloid fluid resuscitation was used in 91.2% of cases, and colloid resuscitation was used in 1.2% of cases. The post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) was present in 58.8% of cases. Postoperative analgesia was administered in 80% of cases. Adverse events occurred in 58.4% of cases. Preoperative transfusion strategies were employed in 18% of cases. Patient transfers to the intensive care unit were done for 18%.

CONCLUSION: Despite the shortcomings of the healthcare system in Morocco, our study indicates that the anaesthesia practice at CHUIS remains highly acceptable by adhering to the highest international standards.