Anesthesiology
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Knowledge of patterns related to patient visits in a multispecialty group is important for helping anesthesia groups make strategic and tactical decisions relevant to increasing anesthesia workload. ⋯ Investment in outpatient primary care clinics, nonsurgical specialty clinics, or scheduling systems to facilitate patient appointments would not materially affect anesthesia workload. The workload of the anesthesia department depends on facilitating surgeon-dependent processes: (1) open access to operating room time on any future workday, (2) well-calculated blocks to permit high surgeon productivity, and (3) open access to surgeon clinics to reduce days from referral to first appointment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prevalence of delirium with dexmedetomidine compared with morphine based therapy after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial (DEXmedetomidine COmpared to Morphine-DEXCOM Study).
Commonly used sedatives/analgesics can increase the risk of postoperative complications, including delirium. This double-blinded study assessed the neurobehavioral, hemodynamic, and sedative characteristics of dexmedetomidine compared with morphine-based regimen after cardiac surgery at equivalent levels of sedation and analgesia. ⋯ Dexmedetomidine reduced the duration but not the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery with effective analgesia/sedation, less hypotension, less vasopressor requirement, and more bradycardia versus morphine regimen.