A&A practice
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Barrier Enclosure Techniques in Protection of Healthcare Workers During Tracheal Intubation and Extubation.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created serious challenges to anesthesiologists. As hospitalized patients' respiratory function deteriorates, many will require endotracheal intubation. ⋯ The addition of an enclosure barrier during airway management minimizes the hazard by entrapping the droplets and possibly the aerosols within an enclosed space adding additional protection for health care workers. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different barrier enclosure techniques during tracheal intubation and extubation.
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Case Reports
Delayed Diagnosis of Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Case Report.
Tracheal stenosis is an uncommon but severe problem after long-term intubation. Here, we report a patient who came from a containment zone of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and presented with complaints of breathlessness and cough. She was suspected to have an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Later, she developed type 2 respiratory failure and carbon dioxide narcosis because of delay in diagnosis of severe, near-complete postintubation tracheal stenosis due to over suspicion of COVID-19 during the current pandemic.
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Midazolam is commonly used for sedation during procedures because of its relative safety and predictability. Still, some rare undesirable medication reactions have been described. ⋯ These symptoms ultimately resolved following reversal of the midazolam with flumazenil. Given the widespread and multidisciplinary use of midazolam, practitioners should be aware of the potential for rare adverse reactions and be prepared to manage these scenarios.
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Approximately 30% of health care workers (HCWs) fail the respirator fit test. Evidence suggests that addressing face leaks in the 3M respirator enhances its fit and improves its efficacy. ⋯ Sixty-eight percent of HCWs who failed the fit test with their first-choice respirator passed with a modified adhesive respirator. To increase the efficacy and safety of 3M respirators, ineffective face seals need substantial improvement in design.
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Intravenous infusion of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine has been shown to improve neuropathic pain. However, ketamine-induced liver injury can occur. ⋯ Furthermore, drug-induced liver injury can cause acute liver failure. Therefore, we recommend close monitoring of liver enzymes every 1 to 2 days during ketamine infusions.