Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2018
ReviewCorrelation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation.
Correlation in the broadest sense is a measure of an association between variables. In correlated data, the change in the magnitude of 1 variable is associated with a change in the magnitude of another variable, either in the same (positive correlation) or in the opposite (negative correlation) direction. Most often, the term correlation is used in the context of a linear relationship between 2 continuous variables and expressed as Pearson product-moment correlation. ⋯ Both correlation coefficients are scaled such that they range from -1 to +1, where 0 indicates that there is no linear or monotonic association, and the relationship gets stronger and ultimately approaches a straight line (Pearson correlation) or a constantly increasing or decreasing curve (Spearman correlation) as the coefficient approaches an absolute value of 1. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals can be used to address the statistical significance of the results and to estimate the strength of the relationship in the population from which the data were sampled. The aim of this tutorial is to guide researchers and clinicians in the appropriate use and interpretation of correlation coefficients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of Nasal Intubations by GlideScope With and Without a Bougie Guide in Patients Who Underwent Maxillofacial Surgeries: Randomized Clinical Trial.
Nasotracheal intubation is commonly performed to provide a secure airway for the maintenance of general anesthesia in maxillofacial surgeries. Routine nasotracheal intubation is performed under general anesthesia by direct laryngoscopy, frequently with the aid of Magill forceps. This method can be time-consuming and may cause bleeding in the field of view. A gum elastic bougie (GEB) is a cheap, slender, and flexible device that could expedite nasotracheal intubation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a GEB during nasotracheal intubation to facilitate the procedure and reduce the rate of complications. ⋯ The GEB is a useful aid to nasotracheal intubation, reducing bleeding, the requirement for Magill forceps and, to a small degree, intubation time. A case exists for its routine use for this purpose.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2018
Preventing Adverse Events in Cataract Surgery: Recommendations From a Massachusetts Expert Panel.
Massachusetts health care facilities reported a series of cataract surgery-related adverse events (AEs) to the state in recent years, including 5 globe perforations during eye blocks performed by 1 anesthesiologist in a single day. The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety, a nonregulatory Massachusetts state agency, responded by convening an expert panel of frontline providers, patient safety experts, and patients to recommend strategies for mitigating patient harm during cataract surgery. The purpose of this article is to identify contributing factors to the cataract surgery AEs reported in Massachusetts and present the panel's recommended strategies to prevent them. ⋯ While 45.5% of surgeons and 69.6% of facilities reported increased use of topical anesthesia compared to 10 years earlier, needle-based blocks were still used in 47.0% of cataract surgeries performed by surgeon respondents and 40.9% of those performed at respondent facilities. Using a modified Delphi approach, the panel recommended several strategies to prevent AEs during cataract surgery, including performing a distinct time-out with at least 2 care-team members before block administration; implementing standardized, facility-wide safety protocols, including a uniform site-marking policy; strengthening the credentialing and orientation of new, contracted and locum tenens anesthesia staff; ensuring adequate and documented training in block administration for any provider who is new to a facility, including at least 10 supervised blocks before practicing independently; using the least invasive form of anesthesia appropriate to the patient; and finally, adjusting anesthesia practices, including preferred techniques, as evidence-based best practices evolve. Future research should focus on evaluating the impact of these recommendations on patient outcomes.