Author: Dr Clemens

Uncategorized Published - 15 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
The state of physician ownership and ASCs

Author: Patsy Newitt Becker’s ASC Reviews Here are nine key statistics on physician and ASC ownership changes: 1. From 2022 to 2023, the percentage of ASCs that are independent shrunk from 70% to 68%, according to a February report from VMG Health. 2. From 2011 to 2023, the number of ASCs under partnership by a national operator […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Critical Illness Beyond the ICU – What Is Essential?

Authors: Amos Z. Muzuka, MD, MMed et al  ASA Monitor March 2024, Vol. 88, 20–21. The following real-life case is representative of the challenges faced in global health care: A 33-year-old gravida 3, para 3, was referred from a health center 72 kilometers away, presenting with severe post-cesarean section anemia. The referral notes highlighted sustained […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Long-term Outcomes with Spinal versus General Anesthesia for Hip Fracture Surgery

Authors: Emily A. Vail, M.D., M.Sc. et al  Anesthesiology March 2024, Vol. 140, 375–386. Background The effects of spinal versus general anesthesia on long-term outcomes have not been well studied. This study tested the hypothesis that spinal anesthesia is associated with better long-term survival and functional recovery than general anesthesia. Methods A prespecified analysis was conducted of long-term […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
8 anesthesia contracts severed in 2024

Author: Claire Wallace Becker’s ASC Review Several health systems and insurers have seen anesthesia contracts come to an end just two months into the year. Here are eight anesthesia contracts that have been severed in 2024 so far: 1. In a voluntary agreement with Colorado’s attorney general, U.S. Anesthesia Partners ended its contracts with five Colorado hospitals […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Influence of STR-324, a Dual Enkephalinase Inhibitor, on Postoperative Pain Scores

Authors: Tom van Dasselaar, M.D. et al  Anesthesiology March 2024, Vol. 140, 632–633. To the Editor: STR-324 is the chemically stable analog of opiorphin, a human pentapeptide (Gln-Arg-Phe-Ser-Arg), that inhibits two enkephalinases, aminopeptidase-N and neutral endopeptidase. These enkephalinases break down met-enkephalin into inactive metabolites.  Both opiorphin and STR-324 are naturally present in humans, because opiorphin rapidly cycles […]

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Uncategorized Published - 14 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Candidate kidney protective strategies for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Authors: David R McIlroy, MD et al  Anesthesiology February 2024. Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after major abdominal surgery. Selection of candidate kidney protective strategies for testing in large trials should be based on robust preliminary evidence. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the Restrictive versus Liberal Fluid Therapy in Major Abdominal […]

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Uncategorized Published - 14 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Chest Wall Hematoma after Continuous Serratus Anterior Plane Block

Authors: Anthony Tucker-Bartley, M.D. et al  Anesthesiology February 2024. We demonstrate a large chest wall hematoma involving the serratus anterior muscle with an extension between the pectoralis major and minor muscles. The images (fig. 1, A–D) are noncontrast chest computed tomography scans in the axial and coronal planes, showing the hematoma, noted 1 day after […]

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Uncategorized Published - 14 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Adverse Effects of Transitions of Anesthesia Care on Postoperative Outcomes

Authors: Amit K. Saha, Ph.D.; Scott Segal, M.D., M.H.C.M. Anesthesiology March 2024, Vol. 140, 387–398. Background An intraoperative transfer of care from one anesthesia provider to another, or handover, may result in information loss and contribute to adverse patient outcomes. In 2019 the authors undertook a quality improvement effort to increase the use of a structured […]

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Uncategorized Published - 14 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Critical Foundations of Care – Global Assumptions Harm Critically Ill Patients

Authors: Ana Maria Crawford, MD, MSc, FASA; Ninza Sheyo, MBCHB, MPH, FCA (ECSA) ASA Monitor March 2024, Vol. 88, 15–16. Clinical vignette: A 32-year-old female presents to a secondary level hospital with difficult breathing. A nurse assesses vital signs, finding a heart rate of 139 bpm, SpO2 = 71%, respiratory rate at 56 bpm, and temperature of 38.1°C. […]

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Uncategorized Published - 14 March, 2024    By - Dr Clemens
Astrocyte PERK and IRE1 Signaling Contributes to Morphine Tolerance and Hyperalgesia through Upregulation of Lipocalin-2 and NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Rodent Spinal Cord

Authors: Bing Wang, Ph.D. et al  Anesthesiology March 2024, Vol. 140, 558–577. Background Endoplasmic reticulum stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and chronic pain. This study hypothesized that PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and inositol-requiring enzyme type 1 (IRE1) regulate lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) expression […]

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