ESAIC Annual Report 2023

Over the past year, ESAIC has remained steadfast in its commitment to disseminating scientific knowledge, providing exceptional continuing education opportunities, leading advancements in patient safety, and incorporating sustainability into our practices. We have continued to promote excellence in the practice of anaesthesiology and fostered valuable connections across the globe.​

Throughout 2023, our efforts have significantly contributed to the growth and innovation within the fields of anaesthesiology and intensive care. We have hosted numerous conferences, workshops, and webinars, offering our members access to cutting-edge research and professional development resources. Our initiatives have not only enhanced the skills and knowledge of our members but also improved patient outcomes and safety standards worldwide.​

Additionally, we have prioritised sustainability in our activities, striving to minimise our environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices within the field. This commitment to sustainability reflects our dedication to creating a healthier planet for future generations.​

We are proud of the progress made in 2023 and look forward to building on these successes in the years to come. ​

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to advancing the field of anaesthesiology.​

We are pleased to present the second edition of ESAIC’s annual report, which covers the society's activities and achievements in 2023.

We made significant progress in patient safety with the development and delivery of the Safer Care to Save Lives (SCSL) programme, the Advanced Patient Safety Course (APSC), and the Peer Review for Patient Safety in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (PRiPSAIC) project. These efforts included new modules, student and trainer manuals, national agreements, and a comprehensive toolkit, culminating in successful training sessions and informative publications.

At Euroanaesthesia 2023, we introduced the ESAIC Glasgow Declaration on Sustainability in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, promoting sustainability and eco-friendly anaesthesiology practices. This initiative reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable healthcare.

Moving forward, our society has embraced a renewed mission and vision: "Together for patient safety, improved health outcomes, and greater environmental sustainability across anaesthesiology and intensive care." This mission highlights our dedication to two strategic objectives: advancing patient safety and fostering environmental sustainability. These principles are essential for the growth and development of our field and the well-being of the patients we serve.

By integrating sustainability into our core values, we aim to lead by example, ensuring that future anaesthesiology and intensive care practices are safe and effective and environmentally conscious. This dual focus on patient safety and sustainability will drive our efforts and initiatives as we continue to innovate and improve healthcare standards.

As we continue our journey, we remain committed to building on our successes, addressing new challenges, and supporting research, education, and patient safety. Let us continue to innovate and improve patient care in anaesthesiology and intensive care.

I would like to thank all the committees, subcommittees and members, and everyone who made this possible, as well as the ESAIC Staff.

Sincerely,

Edoardo De Robertis and Cathy Weynants,

ESAIC President and CEO

Dear Colleagues, Dear Valued Stakeholders, Dear All,

As we look back on the past year, I am delighted to share with you the key milestones of our journey in 2023. Our unwavering commitment to advancing the role of anaesthesiologists and enhancing patient outcomes is at the heart of everything we do. We remain steadfast in upholding our values of quality care, patient safety, and sustainability, which form the bedrock of our mission.

In 2023, we successfully hosted the Euroanaesthesia Congress 2023, organised in Glasgow, Scotland, and attracted over 5,000 attendees from 120 countries. This event featured 131 scientific sessions, 34 workshops, and 6 serious games, with contributions from 391 speakers and instructors from 43 different countries. This Congress edition fostered yet another year of collaboration and knowledge sharing on a remarkable scale.

In 2023, we continued to demonstrate our unwavering support for the professional development of our community. Our enhanced educational portfolio, which featured a comprehensive brain health programme, including webinars, a virtual focus meeting, podcasts, and an interactive workshop, was a testament to our commitment to expanding knowledge and understanding in specialised areas. These initiatives are designed to equip our community with the tools they need to excel in their field, reinforcing our dedication to advancing the field of anaesthesiology.

One of the key indicators of our growing influence is the record-breaking registration numbers we saw for exams such as EDAIC Part I and Part II, OLA, and BCSAC programs. This significant increase in registrations reflects our certification programs' increasing interest and trust. The European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC), endorsed by the European Board of Anaesthesiology and the Council for European Specialist Medical Assessments, aims to achieve a uniformly high standard of knowledge for anaesthesiologists throughout Europe. The EDAIC is an excellent tool for learning and validation, aligning with the European Training Requirements in Anaesthesiology, and supports the development of training programmes at departmental, university, national, and European levels. As part of ESAIC's mission, DURING 2023, we ensured the provision of robust and standardised examination and certification systems to support the professional development of anaesthesiologists, continuously enhancing our exams and knowledge to produce top-quality future doctors in the field of anaesthesiology and intensive care.

We continuously develop guidelines to harmonise clinical management across Europe and improve care standards. During 2023, we published five new ESAIC guidelines covering severe perioperative bleeding, postoperative delirium, cardiac arrest in the perioperative period, airway management in neonates and infants, and the use of cardiac biomarkers in perioperative risk evaluation. These guidelines enhance standardised clinical practices and improve patient outcomes.