Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Lethal injection has come under fire as less than the peaceful, painless death it appears. Reevaluation of the process has sparked examination of the role of doctors in state-sponsored executions. ⋯ Physician involvement created and perpetuates the seriously flawed protocol of lethal injection. Physicians and particularly anesthesiologists now have the opportunity to redress the mistakes of the past, and inform the growing debate over whether and potentially how medicine should be used to kill.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Apr 2007
Review Comparative StudyWhy is there such a difference in outcome between Australian intensive care units and others?
The aim of this article is to assess the data on clinical outcomes for critically ill patients admitted to Australian and New Zealand intensive care units in comparison to information available for similar patients in other counties ⋯ Although comparisons in outcome between Australia and New Zealand intensive care units and other units worldwide may not have sufficient scientific rigour to truly reflect better national outcomes, many features of Australian and New Zealand units are unique and worthy of consideration by other national systems as they consider their strategic national goals for the next decade.
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To review literature germane to the care of critically ill obese patients with emphasis upon the pathophysiology of obesity and its impact on clinical management. ⋯ Obesity has pathophysiologic effects upon all major organ systems. A thorough knowledge of these effects and specific intensive care unit-related issues are necessary for clinicians to anticipate common complications and provide timely and effective treatment for the obese intensive care unit patient.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Apr 2007
ReviewDelirium, cognitive dysfunction and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In the critically ill patient, disease and the therapies we use impact on brain function. Simple tools are now available to recognise such problems. This review highlights neuropsychiatric and cognitive observations that have direct relevance to patient care and outcome. ⋯ Health professionals working with the critically ill must routinely include the assessment of brain cognitive function. While some of the consequences may be unavoidable, we need to reassess our sedation and care practices to ensure we are not confounding the problem. Practical options to improve outcome are being developed and emphasise that the recovery from critical illness is psychological as well as physical.
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This review will examine research ethics in the context of globalization of clinical trials and recent rapid developments in bioscience. It will focus on international ethical guidelines and the functions of research ethics review boards in research governance. Consent issues in genetic research, which must comply with privacy laws by protecting confidentiality and privacy of personal health data, will be discussed. ⋯ Anesthesiologists are moving towards participation in interdisciplinary research teams. They are well placed to speed the translation of research discovery into clinical practice and provide evidence-based perioperative care. This review provides the ethical framework that anesthesiologists will need to meet the challenges of this changing pattern of practice.