Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM Death certificates should allow “medical error” to be listed as a cause, researchers argue in The BMJ. Evaluating estimates published over the past decade, the authors figure that there are roughly 250,000 deaths attributable to medical errors in the U.S. each year. That would rank […]
Read MoreAuthors: Frédérique Hovaguimian, M.D., M.Clin.Res.Meth.et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Blood transfusions are associated with morbidity and mortality. However, restrictive thresholds could harm patients less able to tolerate anemia. Using a context-specific approach (according to patient characteristics and clinical settings), the authors conducted a systematic review to quantify the effects of transfusion strategies. Methods: The authors searched […]
Read MoreAuthors: Sebastian Zaremba, M.D. et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Bariatric surgery patients are vulnerable to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) early after recovery from surgery and anesthesia. The authors hypothesized that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves postoperative oxygenation and SDB and mitigates opioid-induced respiratory depression. Methods: In a randomized crossover trial, patients after bariatric surgery received […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: May 2016 – Volume 122 – Issue 5 – p 1603–1613 AUTHORS: Glance, Laurent G. MD et al BACKGROUND: In creating the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, Congress has mandated pay-for-performance (P4P) for all physicians, including anesthesiologists. There are currently no National Quality Forum–endorsed risk-adjusted outcome metrics for anesthesiologists to use as the […]
Read MoreAuthors: Eun-Ho Lee, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2016, Vol.124, 1001-1011 Background: Hypoalbuminemia may increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). The authors investigated whether the immediate preoperative administration of 20% albumin solution affects the incidence of AKI after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: In this prospective, single-center, randomized, parallel-arm double-blind trial, 220 patients with preoperative […]
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