Safety of Anaesthesia 2018 to 2020 report released

11 December 2024

The 12th triennial Safety of Anaesthesia report has been released and confirms that Australia and New Zealand continue to be incredibly safe countries in which to receive an anaesthetic.

Reflecting the college’s high training standards, and the use of modern airway management tools, data shows this triennium there were no reported Category 1 deaths caused by failures of airway management. Most reported Category 1 deaths related to anaphylaxis, and pulmonary aspiration or its sequalae.

Consistent with previous years, most reported anaesthesia-related deaths related to emergency surgery
(75 per cent). The medical condition of the patient also continued to be a major contributor of reported anaesthesia-related mortality.

Read the Safety of Anaesthesia 2018 to 2020 report here.