According to the CDC, nearly 2 million people get infections while in US hospitals annually and around 100,000 of those people die. Hand washing is one of the most important and easy ways of reducing the transfer of pathogens from person to person. An Article by By Ruth LeTexier, RN, BSN, PHN (Preventing Infection Through [...]
clinical forum
Living and working in a society where substance abuse is not uncommon places the Anesthetist in a position where they may administer anesthesia to a patient who either is high or has recently used illegal drugs. Cocaine abuse has been associated with acute onset of hemodynamic changes and end organ dysfunction. This scenario begs the question [...]
Supraglottic airway devices have proven to be an acceptable alternative to endotracheal intubation and easier to insert by the less experienced provider. As a result, paramedics and other first line responders are using the laryngeal mask airway more frequently to ensure an open airway while en route to definitive care. In addition to inserting the [...]
Those who read the anesthesia literature know that post-operative nausea and vomiting is a common topic. A colleague once said “if I have to read another puke article, I’m going to puke”. To the anesthetist, post op nausea is a concern. To the patient experiencing nausea along with post-op pain it is a terrible experience. [...]
As anesthetists we face the challenge of providing a safe, comfortable and speedy recovery to our patients. Narcotics improve analgesia at the expense of nausea and speed of recovery. The use of non-opioid drugs to supplement and reduce the amout of narcotic administered should, in theory, provide a comfortable and speedy recovery. In this study, the [...]
As Anesthetists, we are known as airway experts. Both Surgeons and patients trust our skills at maintaining an open airway to ensure patient safety. At the end of the case, we wake our patients and take them to recovery with an open airway and then move on to the next patient. In the midst of [...]
Anesthetists in locations ranging from community hospitals to large Children’s hospitals are frequently given the opportunity to anesthtize children of all ages. Three recent studies were recently reviewed by Karen Blum in Anesthesiology News (JANUARY 2013 | VOLUME: 39:1) looking at the effects of anesthesia on children. Researchers presenting studies at the 2012 International Assembly for Pediatric [...]
As anesthetists we are on the front line of patient care. We are trusted with the responsibility to promote wellness and “first, do no harm”. Recently, we have been required to set aside our personal rights in order to enforce a greater good for our patient population and the question has emerged “should healthcare workers [...]
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after major surgery with general anaesthesia in the elderly. Due to the increase of average life expectancy, an increasing number of elderly patients undergo surgery. Following surgery, elderly patients may exhibit cognitive changes. Anesthesia researchers have speculated that single lung ventilation places an elderly patient at increased risk for reduced cerebral oxygenation [...]
Ensuring that the necessary equipment is present and in working condition is foundational in providing safe anesthetic care to each patient and is a standard of care to which we are held. Patients expect their anesthetist to be properly prepared for each and every case. The following comes from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundaton: “While [...]
