Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial
REctus Sheath block for postoperative analgesia in gynecological ONcology Surgery (RESONS): a randomized-controlled trial.
Opioid-sparing pain management is important for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. Rectus sheath (RS) blocks are emerging as a promising modality for pain relief following midline laparotomy; however, there are limited prospective clinical trials testing their efficacy. The purpose of this randomized-controlled trial is to assess the morphine-sparing effect of local anesthetic (LA) boluses through RS catheters following elective gynecological oncology surgery. ⋯ The use of intermittent LA boluses through RS catheters is an effective morphine-sparing pain management strategy for females undergoing midline laparotomy for gynecological cancer surgery. This study was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2013/10/004075).
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Observational Study
Postoperative dysglycemia in elective non-diabetic surgical patients: a prospective observational study.
Elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is often found in surgical patients with no history of diabetes. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to determine if elevated preoperative HbA1c is associated with postoperative hyperglycemia in non-diabetic surgical patients and to identify predictors of elevated HbA1c. ⋯ Elevated HbA1c is associated with higher mean postoperative glucose levels in patients with no diabetic history. The CANRISK score is a strong predictor of elevated HbA1c, while CBG and HbA1c are both predictors of postoperative hyperglycemia.
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The specialty of anesthesiology will soon adopt the Competence By Design (CBD) approach to residency education developed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). A foundational component of CBD is frequent and contextualized assessment of trainees. In 2013, the RCPSC Anesthesiology Specialty Committee assembled a group of simulation educators, representing each of the 17 Canadian anesthesiology residency programs, to form the Canadian National Anesthesiology Simulation Curriculum (CanNASC) Task Force. ⋯ National implementation of the scenarios and program evaluation is currently underway. It is highly feasible to achieve specialty-based consensus on the elements of a national simulation-based curriculum. Our process could be adapted by any specialty interested in implementing a simulation-based curriculum incorporating competency-based assessment on a national scale.
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Workplace-based assessment is integral to programmatic assessment in a competency-based curriculum. In 2013, one such assessment, a mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX) with a novel "entrustability scale", became compulsory for over 1,200 Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) trainees. We explored trainees' and supervisors' understanding of the mini-CEX, their experience with the assessment, and their perceptions of its influence on learning and supervision. ⋯ Greater clarity of purpose and consistency of time commitment are necessary to embed the mini-CEX in the culture of the workplace, to realize the full potential for trainee learning, and to reach decisions on trainee progression.