Authors: Theodor S. Sigurdsson, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2019, Vol.130, 712-718. What We Already Know about This Topic: To date, there are not clinically practical, accurate, and precise noninvasive methods for measuring cardiac output in small children What This Article Tells Us That Is New: This study describes a noninvasive method by which ultrasound can […]
New Guidance Outlines Recommendations for Infection Control in Anaesthesiology
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has issued a new expert guidance on how hospitals and healthcare providers may reduce infections associated with anaesthesiology procedures and equipment in the operating room. The guidance, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, recommends steps to improve infection prevention through increased hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, and continuous […]
ASC, anesthesia provider relationships risk violating anti-kickback laws — 3 insights
Written by Angie Stewart Source: Becker’s ASC Review Certain relationships between ASC and anesthesia service providers create compliance issues related to anti-kickback laws, according to healthcare law firm Nelson Hardiman. Here are three takeaways: 1. In ASC-anesthesia services arrangements, the transfer of anything of value from the anesthesia provider to the ASC or ASC owners […]
Earthquake safety law could put California’s hospitals in ‘financial distress,’ report warns
California’s hospitals are scrambling to retrofit their buildings before the “The Big One” hits, an effort that will cost tens of billions dollars and could jeopardize healthcare access, according to a newly released study. The state’s 418 hospitals have a deadline from the state, too. They’re racing to meet seismic safety standards set by a […]
Pulsed Radiofrequency Provides Durable Back Pain Relief
By Alex Morrisson DG News Computed tomography (CT)-guided pulsed radiofrequency is superior to injection only for patients with back pain caused by nerve pressure, researchers reported here at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). One year after undergoing the treatment 95% of the 113 patients in the studied reported […]
Elevated Risk for Opioid Abuse from Dental Prescriptions in Teens and Young Adults
Authors: Schroeder AR et al. JAMA Intern Med 2018 Dec 3 Dental procedures are a common source of first-time opioid exposure that can lead to further use and abuse. Dental clinicians are a leading prescriber of opioids to children, often within the context of third molar extractions. Among generally healthy U.S. individuals aged 16 to 25 […]
National PDPH Rates, Clinical Practice Strategies Analyzed
Author: Michael Vlessides Anesthesiology News A large analysis of rates of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) following labor analgesia/anesthesia in the United States closely replicates findings from previous smaller studies. The analysis also revealed that conservative treatment strategies were common among these women, with much lower rates of repeat epidural blood patch and follow-up care for […]
Additional benefit of local infiltration of analgesia to femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty: double-blind randomized control study
Authors: Koji Aso et al Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy December 2018 page 1-7 Purpose Multimodal analgesia has become an important concept in current pain management following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, controversy remains over what is the most accepted combination. In this study, the additional benefits of local infiltration of analgesia to femoral nerve […]
Design and Evaluation of a Wireless Electrocardiogram Monitor in an Operating Room A Pilot Study
AUTHORS: Ariès, Philippe, MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: December 2018 BACKGROUND: Wired electrocardiogram monitors are an important component of current perioperative monitoring. Wireless monitoring units could help reduce the number of cables attached to patients and thus improve anesthesia ergonomics and patient management. However, there is concern that electromagnetic interference generated by electrosurgical units may prevent […]
Validation of a Simple Tool for Electronic Documentation of Behavioral Responses to Anesthesia Induction
AUTHORS: Winterberg, Abby V., DNP et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: December 7, 2018 BACKGROUND: Anxiety and distress behaviors during anesthesia induction are associated with negative postoperative outcomes for pediatric patients. Documenting behavioral responses to induction is useful to evaluate induction quality at hospitals and to optimize future anesthetics for returning patients, but we lack a simple tool […]