ASA recommendations target postoperative delirium in older patients
Editor's Note Efforts to reduce the risk of postoperative delirium in older patients should focus on preoperative evaluation, anesthesia choices, and medication management, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Designed specifically for treating adults aged 65 and older undergoing inpatient surgery, these new, evidence-based recommendations are presented in…
Anthem anesthesia payment policy reversal prompts statement from American Society of Anesthesiologists
Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) commended Anthem's reversal of a policy to deny anesthesia payment based on arbitrary time limits, which was set for February 2025 in three states. “The now-rescinded policy was inconsistent with prevailing standards, regulations and billing norms, and revealed a diminished dedication to…
Advanced practice providers fill capacity gaps amid continued scope-of-practice debates
Editor's Note A recent report in Becker’s Hospital Review illuminated health systems’ efforts to address physician shortage by integrating advanced practice providers (APPs) into care models. Citing projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Becker’s noted that nurse practitioners (NPs) “are the fastest-growing occupation in the country, with employment in…
AMA letter expresses opposition to CRNA use of 'nurse anesthesiologist' title
Editor's Note The American Medical Association (AMA) expressed “strong opposition” to a proposed regulation in Washington, DC, that would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to use the title “nurse anesthesiologist.” As detailed in a December 2 announcement, a letter to the DC Department of Health from AMA CEO James…
The anesthesia staffing crisis: How we got here, what hospitals can do
Takeaways • Documentation and coding procedures are rife with opportunity for cost savings. • Passed in 2022, the No Surprises Act is designed to protect insured patients from surprise billing for emergency services from out-of-network providers. However, the result has been nearly 40% cuts in reimbursements to anesthesiologists. • OR…
No construction required—AI uncovers system-wide capacity
Amid rising demand for surgical procedures, improving perioperative operations is a pressing priority for any hospital. For a system serving one of the fastest-growing counties in the US, it becomes an operational imperative. This is the case for WakeMed Health & Hospitals (WakeMed). With ORs spread across multiple facilities in…
Study: Digital tool detects preoperative pediatric anxiety, depression
Editor's Note A recent study presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ 2024 meeting reveals that a computerized mental health assessment, KCAT, may effectively identify anxiety and depression in pediatric surgical patients. According to an October 20 report in Anesthesiology News, the single-center pilot study involved 65 children aged 7…
GLP-1 labels carry pulmonary aspiration warning
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the labels of all treatments containing GLP-1 receptor agonists with a warning about warning about pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation. Drugs and brand names listed in a November 8 report on the development from MedPage Today…
Research reveals racial disparity in postoperative pain management
Editor's Note Black patients are less likely to receive multimodal analgesia and more likely to be given additional oral opioids compared to white patients, according to research presented at the Anesthesiology 2024 annual meeting. According to an October 20 report on the retrospective study from the American Society of Anesthesiologists,…
Study: Single-syringe pump reduces OR propofol waste
Editor's Note Research published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia suggests that switching to a single syringe pump for both induction and maintenance of anesthesia could significantly cut propofol waste in operating rooms. EurekAlert! published the news October 29. Propofol waste accounts for up to 45% of medication waste in…
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