Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2024
Oesophageal intubations in anaesthetic practice across Australia and New Zealand: A webAIRS analysis of 109 incidents.
Oesophageal intubations are more common than may be realised and can potentially cause significant patient harm even if promptly identified and corrected. Reports of morbidity due to unrecognised oesophageal intubation continue to present in coroner and media reports. Therefore, it would be helpful to identify mechanisms to prevent these events and implement strategies to avoid and identify incorrect endotracheal tube placement. ⋯ Findings show that oesophageal intubation continues to be an issue in anaesthesia. Incidents described confusion in diagnosis, human factors issues and cognitive bias. Clear diagnostic guidance and treatment strategies are required to be developed, tested and implemented.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2024
Historical ArticleHirudin and the evolution of leeches in medicine.