Anesthesia

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Risks associated with use of anesthesia during colonoscopy

Editor's Note The overall risk of complications after colonoscopy increases when patients receive anesthesia, this study finds. The use of anesthesia was associated with a 13% increase in complications within 30 days, including a higher risk of perforation, hemorrhage, and abdominal pain. The risk of perforation was 26% higher in…

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By: Judy Mathias
May 3, 2016
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Motor vehicle driving performance of anesthesia residents after overnight work shifts

Editor's Note After six consecutive night shifts, anesthesia residents experienced significantly impaired control of all driving variables including speed, lane position, throttle, and steering in a driving simulator. They also were more likely to be involved in collisions. In addition, reaction times increased with a significant increase in the number of minor…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 18, 2016
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Peripheral nerve blocks linked to better total joint outcomes

Editor's Note Peripheral nerve blocks were associated with fewer complications and lower costs in total hip and knee patients in this study, which was presented March 23 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. In this analysis of more than 1 million patients…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 24, 2016
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Study: Use of self-filled vs prefilled syringes during anesthesia

Editor's Note In this work system analysis, the inclusion of prefilled syringes into medication delivery by anesthesia providers simplified work processes and reduced the number and associated risks of system vulnerabilities. Eight system vulnerabilities were found in the prefilled syringe system versus 21 in the self-filled syringe system. An example…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 18, 2016
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ERAS improves outcomes, shortens length of stay

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are gaining ground with recent data showing that they improve outcomes. The programs consist of multidisciplinary, evidence-based protocols implemented in the perioperative period to provide standardized patient care. Like other changes in healthcare delivery, adopting ERAS programs takes time and effort. Despite positive results…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
March 17, 2016
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Study: Surgery, anesthesia not associated with cognitive functioning in elderly

Editor's Note This study of 8,503 middle-aged and elderly twins in the Netherlands found no clinically significant association of major surgery and anesthesia with long-term cognitive dysfunction. The findings suggest that preoperative cognitive functioning and underlying diseases have stronger influence on postoperative cognitive abilities. The study provided a powerful approach…

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By: Judy Mathias
March 1, 2016
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Contamination of drugs during administration by anesthesiologists

Editor's Note In this study, researchers found microorganisms with the potential to cause infections being injected into patients during administration of drugs by anesthesiologists during surgical procedures. The study included 23 anesthesiologists, each anesthetizing up to 25 patients. The anesthesiologists were asked to inject all bolus drugs, except propofol and…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 12, 2016
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PSH initiative demonstrates measurable impact on quality, costs

Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists and Premiere on February 9 announced results from the first phase of the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) learning collaborative. The collaborative included 44 healthcare organizations that piloted and evaluated the PSH model from July 2014 through November 2015. Many members of the collaborative…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 9, 2016
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New clinical practice guideline on postop pain management

Editor's Note The American Pain Society, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists have issued a new guideline on the “Management of Postoperative Pain.” The guideline provides recommendations that address aspects of postoperative pain management, including: preoperative education perioperative pain management planning use…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 3, 2016
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Study: No link between anesthesia and mild cognitive impairment

Editor's Note No significant association was found between cumulative exposure to general anesthesia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients over 40 years of age in this study from the Mayo Clinic. Of 1,731 patients aged 70 to 89 who were cognitively normal as of October 2004, 85% had at…

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By: Judy Mathias
January 21, 2016
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