Authors: Melissa M. Masaracchia et al Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Background Guidelines issued by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine suggest that ketamine infusions for acute pain management are advantageous as a primary treatment or as an opioid adjunct. Despite significant data regarding its use in adult patients, there remains a paucity of […]
Read MoreStudy results find drastic reduction in the quantity of opioids prescribed and used but no signs of inadequate pain management AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS A state-mandated policy restricting opioid prescriptions along with increased public awareness and education about the opioid epidemic preceded drastic reductions in opioid prescribing and use for surgical patients at the University […]
Read MoreAuthors: Stephen Richardson, MD et al Anesthesiology News Abstract We report profound lip and tongue swelling and hypotension in a 71-year-old woman after anesthesia induction. There was no bronchospasm, urticaria, or rash, so anaphylaxis was not initially suspected. She was treated with phenylephrine, ephedrine and boluses of fluid. When hypotension was refractory to these interventions, […]
Read MoreBabies whose mothers underwent surgery before pregnancy have an increased risk of opioid withdrawal symptoms at birth, according to a study published in CMAJ. “Use of opioids for pain control after surgery may increase the risk of opioid dependence in women and withdrawal in their newborns,” said Nathalie Auger, MD, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, […]
Read MoreAuthor: Thomas Rosenthal Anesthesiology News Staph infections were associated with almost 20,000 deaths in health care and community settings in 2017, according to the CDC. An estimated 119,247 people suffered from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MssA), with a total of 19,832 associated deaths from both infections, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report released by […]
Read MoreAuthor: Christina Frangou Anesthesiology News Initiative Achieves a Culture Change in Prescribing Habits In the spring of 2016, patients discharged after undergoing a general surgery procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital left with a prescription for a median of 150 mg of oral morphine equivalent. Two years later, patients undergoing the same procedures received a prescription […]
Read MoreAuthor: Nathan Eddy Healthcare IT News Data from the accelerometers allowed researchers to correctly rank the mortality risk using 30-40 percent more accuracy than when using data about smoking status or a patient’s stroke or cancer history. Wearable health devices can provide an accurate picture of the overall health and mortality risk in older adults, […]
Read MoreAuthor: Kurt Kleiner, University of Toronto In a small, windowless room at Toronto General Hospital, a bank of seven 3-D printers runs day and night, patiently laying down layer after layer of coloured plastic. When the printing is done, the pieces are trimmed and fitted together into perfect models of human hearts, life-sized and correct […]
Read MoreAuthor: Karen Blum Anesthesiology News With surgical recovery presenting the possibility that patients will become dependent on opioids, speakers at the 2019 annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons discussed tips to reduce opioid prescribing and ways to manage pain without opioids in enhanced recovery pathways. While 90% of patients taken […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Tsan, Samuel E. H. MD, BMedSc et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: July 23, 2019 BACKGROUND: Approximately half of all difficult tracheal intubations (DTIs) are unanticipated; hence, proper positioning during intubation is critical to increase the likelihood of success. The bed-up-head–elevated (BUHE) intubation position has been shown to improve laryngeal view, reduce airway complications, and prolong safe […]
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