Authors: Wald, Samuel H. MD, MBA; Arthofer, Rudolph RN, MHA; Semple, Amy K. RN; Bhorik, Avi MHA; Lu, Amy C. MD, MPH Anesthesia & Analgesia: August 2020 – Volume 131 – Issue 2 – p e94-e96 To the Editor Both aerosol and droplet precautions have been recommended for the care of patients with suspected or […]
Read MoreAuthor:Patricia Kritek, MD reviewing Ferreyro BL et al. JAMA 2020 Jun 4 NEJM Journal Watch A meta-analysis showed lower mortality with noninvasive ventilation compared with standard oxygen therapy. Comparisons of effectiveness among noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and standard oxygen therapy have yielded conflicting results in patients with respiratory failure who do not require immediate endotracheal intubation. […]
Read MoreModern Healthcare Asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers may have viral loads on par with patients with symptoms, though a slightly higher proportion of symptom-free individuals may test negative within a few weeks of diagnosis, according to a new study. “Because transmission by asymptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 may be a key factor in community spread, population-based surveillance and […]
Read MoreAuthor: Sarah Varney Kaiser Health News For a world crippled by the coronavirus, salvation hinges on a vaccine. But in the United States, where at least 4.6 million people have been infected and nearly 155,000 have died, the promise of that vaccine is hampered by a vexing epidemic that long preceded COVID-19: obesity. Scientists know […]
Read MoreAuthors: Gong, Yahong MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: August 2020 – Volume 131 – Issue 2 – p 326-334 Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. During the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, most hospitals have postponed elective surgeries. However, some emergency surgeries, especially for trauma patients, […]
Read MoreAuthors: Piliego, Chiara MD; Strumia, Alessandro MD; Stone, Michael Benjamin MD; Pascarella, Giuseppe MD Anesthesia & Analgesia: August 2020 – Volume 131 – Issue 2 – p e93-e94 To the Editor Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a recently pandemic beta-coronavirus, for which infection symptoms may vary from fever, dry cough, fatigue, and […]
Read MoreAuthor: Alicia Lasek McKnights Long Term Care News Long-term muscle relaxant prescriptions skyrocketed between 2005 and 2016, and older adults were disproportionately the recipients, a new study shows. Skeletal muscle relaxants should be avoided in patients ages 65 and older due to the risk of falls, fractures, vehicle crashes, abuse, dependence, and overdose, according to […]
Read MoreBy Kelly Young NEJM Journal Watch Varenicline is strongly recommended over the nicotine patch and bupropion for adults who are trying to quit smoking, according to new guidelines from the American Thoracic Society published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Among the other recommendations: Varenicline is also strongly recommended over the patch […]
Read MoreAuthor: Michael Walter Cardiovascular Business News When COVID-19 patients have an acute ischemic stroke (AIS), it can have an especially devastating effect, according to new findings published in Stroke. The researchers explored data from 174 patients treated from Jan. 27 to May 19, 2020, at one of 28 facilities in 16 different countries. All patients had […]
Read MoreAnesthesiologists and CRNAs need to be speaking out against slashes made to their reimbursements in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed 2021 Physician Fee Schedule. The new rule will result in these significant reductions in Medicare payments if the current draft takes effect on Jan. 1: 8% for anesthesiology
Read More