Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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While a few publications specify the anesthetic implications of either brain or cardiac death, they lack detail on how to provide anesthesia during organ donation surgery. We provide a thorough description of important anesthetic considerations during organ donation surgery in patients with either brain or cardiac death. ⋯ Anesthesiologist-guided physiological optimization of the brain-dead donor may be a factor in determining the outcome of the organ recipient. Additionally, anesthesiologists have an important role in helping to ensure that the highest quality and most appropriate care are rendered to non-heart-beating donors. This is achieved through establishing protocols in their hospitals for donation after cardiac death that maximize the number of available organs with the best chance for long-term graft viability.
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In 2011, the hysterectomy enhanced recovery (HER) pathway, a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based care plan designed to improve recovery after open gynecologic surgery for non-malignant lesions, was introduced at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). This before-and-after study examined the impact of the HER pathway on postoperative day (POD) 1 hospital discharge. ⋯ For patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, implementation of a HER pathway is associated with a higher POD 1 discharge rate, with no increase in the early return to hospital rate.
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Observational Study
The impact of advanced maternal age on peripartum thromboelastographic coagulation profiles: a prospective observational exploratory study.
Advanced maternal age (AMA) is a known risk factor for pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism. However, it is unclear if underlying differences exist in the maternal coagulation profiles of AMA vs non-AMA women. The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare peripartum thromboelastography parameters of AMA and non-AMA women undergoing elective Cesarean delivery (CD). ⋯ These data suggest that maternal thromboelastographic profiles of healthy AMA and non-AMA women undergoing elective CD are similar. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01416454).
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Compared with other specialties, anesthesiologists are at increased risk of acquiring a blood-borne pathogen (BBP) through needle-stick injuries (NSIs). Safety-engineered intravenous catheters (SEICs) have been designed to reduce NSIs but have not been well received. Our objective was to determine SEIC usage by pediatric anesthesiologists, including availability, utilization, perceived utility, and sources of NSI before and after legislation mandating their use in Canada. ⋯ Despite only moderate perceived utility, SEIC uptake among CPAs is high. However, NSIs remain common. Several opportunities to reduce the risk for work-related BBP transmission among CPAs were evident.