Anesthesiology review
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Anesthesiology review · Nov 1994
A study of the responsibilities of chief residents in anesthesiology with a suggested job description.
We requested information concerning the job description for the chief resident in anesthesiology from 50 different programs. Thirty-two responses were returned, with 9 responses that no such job description existed at their institutions. ⋯ Differences were found in the selection process, administrative duties, number of committee memberships, and educational responsibilities. We present a suggested description of the responsibilities for a chief resident in anesthesiology.
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Anesthesiology review · Jul 1994
Comparative StudyPropofol reduces prolonged outpatient PACU stay. An analysis according to surgical procedure.
This study compared the effects of propofol anesthesia and nonpropofol general anesthetics on duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for prolonged drowsiness or nausea and vomiting following various surgical procedures. A group of 512 patients undergoing general anesthesia for a variety of outpatient surgical procedures over a 6-month period received general anesthesia with nitrous oxide, with or without propofol. Data collected from PACU records included type of surgical procedure and duration in the PACU of more than 2 hours owing to drowsiness or nausea and vomiting. ⋯ Similar results occurred for orthopedic surgery (15% vs 35%); for ear, nose, or throat procedures (30% vs 75%); and for ophthalmic surgery (18% vs 71%), but not for oral surgery (44% vs 64%). Most same-day surgery patients benefit from administration of propofol for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Advantages include a decreased likelihood of a prolonged stay in the PACU as a result of drowsiness or nausea and vomiting.
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Anesthesiology review · Mar 1994
An update on pulse oximetry. Part II: limitations and future applications.
The pulse oximeter can be used in all clinical situations in which the patient is at risk for hypoxemia. Now standard in the operating room, pulse oximetry is beginning to be used in prehospital transport, emergency department, postanesthesia recovery room, intensive care unit, endoscopy and catheterization suites, and delivery room, as well as for ambulatory monitoring and preoperative screening. The pulse oximeter is an invaluable monitor for the anesthesiologist and may allow better health care delivery to the patient, especially when combined with capnography and mixed venous oximetry. This article presents an update on its limitations and future applications.
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Anesthesiology review · Sep 1993
Review Historical ArticleA historical overview and update on pulse oximetry.
Pulse oximetry has revolutionized the way in which blood oxygenation is measured. It provides an accurate and relatively reliable noninvasive means for the continuous measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation in a variety of patients. The pulse oximeter has detected many clinical situations in which arterial hypoxemia (SaO 2 less than 90%) was not previously known to occur. ⋯ The pulse oximeter is accurate under the following conditions: SaO 2 is greater than 22% in hemodynamically stable patients and greater than 35% in hemodynamically unstable patients; core body temperature is greater than 32 degrees C; cardiac index is greater than 1.5 L/min per m 2; pulse pressure is > 20 mm Hg; hematocrit is greater than 10%; hyperbilirubinemia is corrected for carboxyhemoglobin; fetal hemoglobin is at any level. Pulse oximeter readings have limited accuracy in the presence of methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, nail polish, fluorescent light, and motion. This article presents a historical overview of pulse oximetry and an update on its current uses.