Monitoring devices, such as that illustrated in Fig 1, must be attached before induction of anaesthesia. Their use should continue until the patient has recovered from the effects of anaesthesia.

The following pages will describe the monitoring devices that are essential and those which must be immediately available during anaesthesia.

In situations when a monitoring device deemed essential is unavailable and anaesthesia continues without it, the anaesthetist must clearly document the reasons for proceeding without the device.

Additional monitoring may be necessary as considered by the anaesthetist.