British journal of anaesthesia
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Previous meta-analyses on the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture have focused on randomized trials. Furthermore, heterogeneity in outcome reporting across the studies has made it difficult to inform best practice guidelines for patient care. ⋯ We highlight the need for agreement on outcome definitions and for a minimum core outcome set to be measured and reported in hip fracture studies. This would strengthen the evidence-based approach to delivering optimal care.
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Many hospitals, and medical and dental clinics and offices, routinely monitor their procedural-sedation practices-tracking adverse events, outcomes, and efficacy in order to optimize the sedation delivery and practice. Currently, there exist substantial differences between settings in the content, collection, definition, and interpretation of such sedation outcomes, with resulting widespread reporting variation. ⋯ This tool is amenable for inclusion in either a paper or an electronic medical record. An additional, parallel research tool is presented to promote consistency and standardized data collection for procedural-sedation investigations.
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Videolaryngoscopy (VL) is increasingly used, but not yet routine practice, for tracheal intubation. Few departments formally trial equipment before adopting it into practice. We describe the decision-making and implementation processes that our department used when introducing universal VL, with the C-MAC© (Karl Storz, Germany), throughout our anaesthesia and intensive care departments. ⋯ Performing a formal and prolonged trial of mandatory VL in theatre led to changes in perceptions and departmental consensus. As a result of the trial, the department agreed to the use of C-MAC© videolaryngoscopy as the default intubation technique throughout theatres and intensive care, with removal of standard Macintosh laryngoscopes from routine use.
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Poor adherence to guidelines aimed at reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is well known. In a before-and-after study, we tested the effectiveness of a simplified algorithm for PONV prophylaxis on the incidence of PONV. ⋯ A simplified algorithm for PONV prophylaxis resulted in a significant reduction in the PONV incidence and better compliance with the PONV algorithm.
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Clinical indicators assess healthcare structures, processes, and outcomes. While used widely, the exact number and level of scientific evidence of these indicators remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number, type, and evidence base of clinical process and structure indicators currently available for quality and safety measurement in perioperative care. ⋯ CRD4201501277.