Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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This article presents a summary of recent advances, including tools and interventions, that are designed to improve drug safety for patients in critical care settings, particularly those undergoing anesthesia and surgery. ⋯ There is a need to improve drug delivery systems in complex critical care environments, particularly the operating room. Anesthesiologists must continue to play a leading role in promoting drug safety in these environments.
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Improving patient safety during anesthesia and surgery is the focus of much effort worldwide. Major advances have occurred since the 1980s, especially in economically advantaged areas. This paper is a review of some of the challenges that face those who work in resource-poor areas of the world. ⋯ Much time, effort, planning, and resources are required to ensure that anesthesia in low-income areas can reach internationally accepted standards. Such investment in anesthesia would result in wider access to surgical and obstetrical care, and the quality and safety of that care would be much improved.
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This brief review provides an overview and, importantly, a context perspective of relevant current practical issues in perioperative patient safety. ⋯ Recognition of the issues outlined here and empowerment of all anesthesia professionals, from the most senior professors and administrators to the newest practitioners, should help maintain, solidify, and expand the improvements in anesthesia and perioperative patient safety.
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To highlight the role of anesthesiologists in the prophylaxis of surgical site infections (SSIs) and to recognize the central role they play in quality improvement initiatives for the prevention of SSIs. ⋯ Anesthesiologists are responsible for many of the processes of care shown to impact the risk for SSIs, and they play an important role in the prevention of SSIs. Their leadership in the multidisciplinary efforts to improve the quality of the surgical patient is of critical importance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The scavenging of volatile anesthetic agents in the cardiovascular intensive care unit environment: a technical report.
The use of volatile-based sedation within critical care environments has been limited by difficulties of drug administration and safety concerns over environment pollution and staff exposure in an intensive care unit (ICU) with no scavenging. The aim of this study was to develop a simple scavenging system to be used with the Anesthesia Conserving Device (AnaConDa(®)) and to determine whether or not ambient concentrations of residual anesthetic are within current acceptable limits. ⋯ This study shows that volatile agents can be administered safely within critical care settings using a simple scavenging system. Our scavenging system used in conjunction with the AnaConDa device reduced the concentration of environmental contamination to a level that is acceptable to Canadian standards and standards in most Western countries and thus conforms to international safety standards. The related clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01151254).