A novel approach to prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) failed to reduce its incidence after exposure to general anesthesia. Results of a study, which entailed a gradual preconditioning of several receptor groups involved in the nausea reflex arc, showed a trend toward improved outcomes, but a statistically significant difference was not observed. “We […]
Read MoreAuthor: Olasveengen TM et al. Resuscitation 2017 Nov 8. This update focuses on continuous compressions versus interruptions for ventilation. Sponsoring Organization: International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) Target Audience: Bystanders, emergency medical services (EMS) dispatchers, EMS providers, physicians who care for patients in cardiac arrest. Background and Objective Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has become the central factor in […]
Read MoreThe use of post-bypass four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) decreases transfusions of both red blood cells and plasma in patients undergoing an orthotopic heart transplant who have existing left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), a study has found. The use of the agent, however, did not result in shorter lengths of stay (LOS) in the ICU […]
Read MoreBy Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter Caffeine can send the heart racing, but for some people coffee may help prevent abnormal heartbeats, Australian researchers report. Many doctors advise patients with abnormal heart rhythms (“arrhythmias”) to avoid caffeine. But, for most heart patients, coffee and tea are safe and may sometimes reduce the frequency of arrhythmias, the researchers […]
Read MoreThe most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the subject to date has shown that perioperative goal-directed therapy reduces mortality, morbidity and hospital length of stay in adult patients undergoing major surgery. That did not stop researchers from advising caution in interpreting their results, however, given what they saw as the risk for bias in […]
Read MoreBlood management strategies continue to vary widely across institutions, a phenomenon that may lead to less than optimal results. Investigators at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists’ (SCA) Clinical Practice Improvement Blood Conservation Work Group aim to change that: Results from their survey (released in mid-September) […]
Read MorePatients who develop atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery have greater resting-state functional connectivity in certain areas of the brain than those who did not develop this sometimes devastating side effect, a small study has concluded. These findings not only potentially provide insight into the central mechanisms responsible for autonomic derangement after cardiac surgery, but may […]
Read MoreAuthors: P. H. M. Sadleir et al Anesthesia November 2017 Summary Intra‐operative acute hypersensitivity reactions require a decision to be made regarding whether to proceed with or abandon the planned surgical procedure once the patient has stabilised. Using retrospective case controls, we examined all cases (223) of proven acute hypersensitivity reactions from 2005 to 2014 in […]
Read MoreMedicare will require hospitals to post their standard prices online and make electronic medical records more readily available to patients, officials said Tuesday. The program is also starting a comprehensive review of how it will pay for costly new forms of immunotherapy to battle cancer. “We are just beginning on price transparency. We know that […]
Read MoreThe average 1,500-bed hospital prints more than 8 million pages per month, adding up to about $3.8 million per year. In the era of electronic health records, it may seem counterintuitive that hospitals would be increasing the volume of their printed documents. But that’s precisely the case, and this lack of efficiency is leading to […]
Read More