Despite the media attention the incidence of recall of events under general anesthesia remains a rare event. In the United States, the incidence is 30,000 cases per 15 million cases of general anesthesia per year or 0.2%. It is most common in cases where inhalation agents are given in reduced doses: trauma, cardiac anesthesia and obstetrics. Recently, a new monitor called the BIS has been released for general use. It monitors level of consciousness via analysis of your brain waves. We have 20 BIS monitors at Riverside and they represent a good tool to prevent awareness. Any case of awareness, is taken very seriously by MPAS. You can find out more about the BIS monitor at www.aspectms.com.
