Anesthesiology 2 2016, Vol.124, 396-403 Authors: Karim S. Ladha, M.D. et al Background: Opioids play a crucial role in providing analgesia throughout the perioperative period; however, patients may become persistent users of these medications months after surgery. Epidurals have been posited to prevent the development of persistent pain, but there are little data on the effect of […]
Read MoreWhile opioids may alleviate pain in some chronic pain patients, their effectiveness when it comes to restoring physical function in patients with neuropathic pain could be considered finite. Published in Pain Medicine, a new study, conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta, revealed that prescription painkillers—such as morphine, codeine and Tylenol 3—do not provide additional improvements in physical […]
Read MoreThe FDA announced a multi-pronged approach to ending the prescription opioid abuse epidemic last week. Experts in pain, addiction, and health policy Today their view of the intended reforms. “As physicians we have treated both the intense suffering caused by acute pain and chronic pain… But we have also witnessed the devastating results of opioid […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology published on 1 2016 Authors: Kyle R. Kirkham, M.D. et al Background: Increasing attention has been focused on low-value healthcare services. Through Choosing Wisely campaigns, routine laboratory testing before low-risk surgery has been discouraged in the absence of clinical indications. The authors investigated rates, determinants, and institutional variation in laboratory testing before low-risk procedures. Methods: Patients who […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology published on 1 2016 Authors: Peter Szmuk, M.D. et al Background: Pulse oximetry provides no indication of downward trends in Pao2 until saturation begins to decrease. The Oxygen Reserve Index (ORI) is a novel pulse oximeter–based nondimensional index that ranges from 1 to 0 as Pao2 decreases from about 200 to 80 mmHg and is measured by optically […]
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