Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Evaluation of the efficacy of a forced-air warmer (Bair Hugger) during spinal surgery in children.
To evaluate the efficacy of a forced-air warmer during spinal surgery for correction of scoliosis in children. ⋯ The forced-air warmer (Bair Hugger) is effective during spinal surgery, although only about 20% of body surface area can be covered.
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To estimate the financial costs incurred by outpatient surgical centers in managing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). ⋯ PONV substantially increases the costs incurred by outpatient surgical centers.
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To determine the impact of a cost containment program on the use of volatile anesthetics and neuromuscular blocking drugs. ⋯ Concerted educational efforts can decrease the per case expenditures for both volatile anesthetic drugs and neuromuscular blocking drugs.
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The acceptance of new and increasingly expensive technologies is a major component of the rising costs of health care. While the practice of anesthesia has been relatively immune from the effects of cost containment, it is inevitable that practitioners will have to justify costly practices. Available pharmacoeconomic methods can be applied to the use of all anesthetic drugs, particularly neuromuscular blocking drugs. Cost-effectiveness analysis allows the practicing anesthesiologist to prioritize the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs to maximize their benefit while reducing unnecessary costs.