Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2019
National Partnership for Maternal Safety Recommended Maternal Early Warning Criteria Are Associated With Maternal Morbidity.
Many cases of maternal mortality and morbidity are preventable. A delayed response to clinical warning signs contributes to preventability. Therefore, the National Partnership for Maternal Safety devised maternal early warning criteria (MEWC), composed of abnormal vital signs that trigger bedside evaluation by a provider with the capacity to escalate care. The relationship of the MEWC to maternal morbidity has not been studied. We evaluated the correlation between the MEWC and maternal morbidity. ⋯ The MEWC are associated with maternal morbidity. As a screening tool, they appropriately prioritize sensitivity and have an excellent negative predictive value. The criteria demonstrate low specificity, which is slightly improved by considering only patients with recurrent or multiple triggers. Additional efforts to improve the specificity of MEWC, with a focus on identifying sustained or recurrent patterns of abnormal vital signs, may be necessary before their widespread implementation.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2019
Distribution of Extreme Vital Signs and Complete Blood Count Values of Healthy Parturients: A Retrospective Database Analysis and Review of the Literature.
The impact of physiological adjustments throughout pregnancy on maternal vital signs and laboratory values has yet to be fully defined. The present study was designed to determine the normal range of these parameters among healthy pregnant women during the peripartum period. ⋯ Our findings justify the practice of using ≥2 repeated measurements for diagnosing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Lower normal blood pressure limits may be below those defining hypotensive shock. Normal heart rates exceed the accepted definitions of both tachy- and bradycardia. Normal temperatures at all times have a more narrow range than previously thought, and the normal range of white blood cell count has outliers exceeding the current definitions of leukocytosis or leukopenia at all times. The normal lower range of hemoglobin was constantly below 10 g/dL, and normal platelet counts were considerably lower than those previously described. The vital signs and complete blood count values thus far considered normal for the peripartum period may require some adjustment. New definitions for hypotension, tachy- and bradycardia, fever, and leukocyte quantitative disorders should be considered.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2019
Targeted Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub on Gloves During Task Dense Periods: One Step Closer to Pathogen Containment by Anesthesia Providers in the Operating Room.
Anesthesia providers' hand hygiene practices in the operating room may contribute to the transmission of bacteria. There is a debate, however, over the best approaches for pathogen containment during task dense periods (induction and extubation) of anesthesia care. A novel approach to reducing pathogen spread during these task dense periods is the use of alcohol-based hand rub on gloves when it may be difficult to either change gloves or clean hands. ⋯ This study suggests that the use of alcohol-based hand rub on commonly used nitrile examination gloves does not compromise glove integrity or hamper the ability to safely perform routine anesthesia functions.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2019
Global and Regional Respiratory Mechanics During Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Study.
Pneumoperitoneum and nonphysiological positioning required for robotic surgery increase cardiopulmonary risk because of the use of larger airway pressures (Paws) to maintain tidal volume (VT). However, the quantitative partitioning of respiratory mechanics and transpulmonary pressure (PL) during robotic surgery is not well described. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) the components of driving pressure (transpulmonary and chest wall components) increase in a parallel fashion at robotic surgical stages (Trendelenburg and robot docking); and (2) deep, when compared to routine (moderate), neuromuscular blockade modifies those changes in PLs as well as in regional respiratory mechanics. ⋯ In robotic surgery with pneumoperitoneum, changes in ventilatory driving pressures during Trendelenburg and robot docking are distributed less to the lungs than to the chest wall as compared to routine mechanical ventilation for supine patients. This effect of robotic surgery derives from substantially larger increases in Ecw than ELs and reduces the risk of excessive PLs. Deep neuromuscular blockade does not meaningfully change global or regional lung mechanics.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2019
Development and Usability Testing of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Pedi Crisis Mobile Application.
When life-threatening, critical events occur in the operating room, the fast-paced, high-distraction atmosphere often leaves little time to think or deliberate about management options. Success depends on applying a team approach to quickly implement well-rehearsed, systematic, evidence-based assessment and treatment protocols. Mobile devices offer resources for readily accessible, easily updatable information that can be invaluable during perioperative critical events. ⋯ In addition, clinicians rated the application as slightly above "excellent" overall on an established measure, the Systems Usability Scale, which is a 10-item, widely used and validated Likert scale created to assess usability for a variety of situations. The application can be downloaded, at no cost, for iOS devices from the Apple App Store and for Android devices from the Google Play Store. The processes and principles used in its development are readily applicable to the development of future mobile and electronic applications for the field of anesthesiology.