Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Observational Study
Baseline parameters for non-activated rotational thromboelastometry tests with and without heparinase in healthy pregnant women at term gestation.
To determine the normal values for non-activated thromboelastometry parameters among pregnant women. ⋯ This study is the first to our knowledge to report reference ranges for non-activated ROTEM® tests with and without heparinase in non-laboring term pregnant women. These reference ranges may serve as a baseline comparison and may be useful for future research on anticoagulation management in pregnancy.
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Observational Study
A comparison of accelerometric monitoring by TOF Watch® SX and electromyographic monitoring by Tetragraph® for recovery from neuromuscular blockade.
Neuromuscular monitoring has become a standard of care for management of anesthesia. While acceleromyography (AMG) is the most common technology used in clinical practice, guidelines suggest that electromyographic (EMG) devices are ideal for quantitative neuromuscular monitoring. The Tetragraph® is an EMG monitor that has recently been marketed. ⋯ Bias between the TOF Watch SX and the Tetragraph TOF-ratios is in line with previous results for AMG and EMG monitors.
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Observational Study
The effects of diabetes mellitus on gastric emptying: A prospective observational cohort study.
Our goal was to evaluate the effect of diabetic severity and duration on preoperative residual gastric volume. Secondarily we compared ultrasonic estimates of residual gastric volume with actual volume determined by aspiration during endoscopy. ⋯ In this prospective observational cohort study, neither the duration nor severity of diabetes influenced preoperative residual gastric volume. Gastric ultrasound can help identify patients who have excessive residual volumes despite overnight fasting.
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This study assessed whether implementation of an enhanced recovery-based pathway decreased length of stay without increasing readmissions among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion. ⋯ Patients undergoing PSF for AIS experienced shorter hospital stays without increased readmissions following the implementation of an enhanced recovery pathway. Development of this pathway required buy-in from multiple stakeholders and significant coordination among services. The principles used to develop this pathway may be applied in other institutions and to other patient populations using the model outlined here.
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Observational Study
The impact of a smartphone meditation application on anesthesia trainee well-being.
Physician burnout is a pervasive problem in the United States. The goal of this study was to investigate use of the smartphone meditation application Headspace® as a well-being improvement tool in anesthesia trainees. ⋯ Findings of decreased depression scores and improved feelings of personal achievement suggest that Headspace® could serve as a mindfulness tool for incorporating meditation into the daily practice of anesthesia trainees in an effort to improve well-being.