Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialLow-Cost Simulation to Teach Anesthetists' Non-Technical Skills in Rwanda.
Safe anesthesia care is challenging in developing countries where there are shortages of personnel, drugs, equipment, and training. Anesthetists' Non-technical Skills (ANTS)-task management, team working, situation awareness, and decision making-are difficult to practice well in this context. Cesarean delivery is the most common surgical procedure in sub-Saharan Africa. This pilot study investigates whether a low-cost simulation model, with good psychological fidelity, can be used effectively to teach ANTS during cesarean delivery in Rwanda. ⋯ Rwandan anesthesia providers show improvement in ANTS practice during cesarean delivery after 1 teaching session using a low-cost high psychological fidelity simulation model with debriefing.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2016
Observational StudyPostoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and the Change of Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Elderly Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery.
In this study, we examined the relationship between postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. ⋯ This study showed that the duration of decline in rSO2 <60% during lumbar spinal surgery was correlated with the development of POCD at the seventh postoperative day in elderly patients.
-
Hypotensive transfusion reactions (HyTRs) may be underreported and have been associated with patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) receiving poststorage leukoreduced blood products through negatively charged filters. Although bedside leukoreduction is no longer commonplace, HyTRs still occur and are insufficiently characterized in the prestorage leukoreduction era. We describe recently reported cases at our institution. ⋯ Contrary to what has been previously reported in the era of prestorage leukoreduction, HyTRs at our institution showed consistent patterns in patients at risk. Patients scheduled to undergo major surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass may benefit from earlier preoperative cessation of ACEIs or temporarily switching to an alternative drug class.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2016
Comparative StudyThe Accuracy of 6 Inexpensive Pulse Oximeters Not Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration: The Possible Global Public Health Implications.
Universal access to pulse oximetry worldwide is often limited by cost and has substantial public health consequences. Low-cost pulse oximeters have become increasingly available with limited regulatory agency oversight. The accuracy of these devices often has not been validated, raising questions about performance. ⋯ Many low-cost pulse oximeters sold to consumers demonstrate highly inaccurate readings. Unexpectedly, the accuracy of some low-cost pulse oximeters tested here performed similarly to more expensive, ISO-cleared units when measuring hypoxia in healthy subjects. None of those tested here met World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists standards, and the ideal testing conditions do not necessarily translate these findings to the clinical setting. Nonetheless, further development of accurate, low-cost oximeters for use in clinical practice is feasible and, if pursued, could improve access to safe care, especially in low-income countries.