Der Anaesthesist
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There is a worldwide consensus among experts that guidelines and algorithms on airway management contribute to improved patient safety in anesthesia. The present study aimed to determine the current practice of airway management of German anesthesiologists and assess the safety gap, defined as the difference between observed and recommended practice, amongst these practitioners. ⋯ Current practice of airway management showed overall adherence to the current German guidelines on airway management, yet certain areas need to be improved.
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Case Reports
[SARS-CoV-2 positive child-What to do if inhalation induction of anesthesia is unavoidable?]
Induction of anesthesia by inhalation is very common in children due to difficult venous conditions and especially in uncooperative children. During the study on complications in the pediatric anesthesia in Europe (APRICOT study) including almost 30,000 patients, 48% of the children were induced by inhalation. ⋯ Rapid sequence induction is recommended for anesthesia induction and definitive airway management for adults and children in the current pandemic situation. The present case demonstrates that there can be situations in children in which induction of anesthesia by inhalation is unavoidable and shows a potential procedure for reducing the risk of infection for the anesthesia personnel.
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In the context of sepsis and septic shock, coagulopathy often occurs due to the close relationship between coagulation and inflammation. Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) is the most severe and potentially fatal form. Anticoagulants used in prophylactic or therapeutic doses are discussed to potentially exert beneficial effects in patients with sepsis and/or SIC; however, due to the lack of evidence recent guidelines are limited to recommendations for drug prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), while treatment of SIC has not been addressed. ⋯ The heterogeneity of answers collected in the survey suggests that a systematic approach to this topic via clinical trials is urgently needed to underline individualized patient care with the necessary evidence.
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During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, the entire emergency rescue system was confronted with major challenges. Starting on 15 March, all tourists were asked to leave the State of Tyrol, Austria. The main goal of the efforts was to ensure the usual quality of emergency medical care while reducing the physical contact during emergency interventions on site. ⋯ It was possible to achieve the primary goal of reducing the physical contact with patients; however, before keeping these reductions of the dispatching order regarding. EPs for the routine operation, adaptions in these reductions as well as deeper evaluations under consideration of the data from hospitals and GPs would be necessary. Also, different options to reduce physical contact should be evaluated, e.g. building an EMT-led scout team to evaluate the patient's status while the EP team is waiting outside.