Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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The aim of this review is to examine data relating to perioperative management of the patient with neuromuscular disorders RECENT FINDINGS: Patients with pre-existing neuromuscular disorders are at risk for a number of postoperative complications that are related to anesthetic drugs that are administered intraoperatively. Careful preoperative assessment is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. In particular, the risk of postoperative respiratory failure and need for long-term ventilation should be reviewed with patients. The use of succinylcholine should be avoided in muscular dystrophies, motor neuron diseases, and intrinsic muscle disease due to a risk of malignant hyperthermia, hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiac arrest. The use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring should be strongly considered whenever nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents are administered. A number of case series and reports have been recently published demonstrating that sugammadex can be safely used in patients with neuromuscular disease; the risk of residual neuromuscular is nearly eliminated when this agent is administered intraoperatively. ⋯ Careful assessment and management of patients with underlying neuromuscular diseases is required to reduce postoperative complications. This article reviews the anesthetic implications of patients undergoing surgery with neuromuscular disorder.
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The present review highlights recent advances in efforts to improve patient safety on labor and delivery units and well tolerated care for pregnant patients in general. ⋯ A culture of safety is the goal for all obstetric units. Achieving that ideal requires multidisciplinary collaboration, frequent reassessment for areas of improvement, and a culture of openness to change when improvement opportunities arise.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2017
ReviewAnesthesia in patients with infectious disease caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Up to 50% of specific bacterial strains in healthcare admission facilities are multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Involvement of anesthesiologists in management of patients carrying/at risk of carrying MDROs may decrease transmission in the Operating Room (OR). ⋯ Discussions regarding the management of potential MDRO carriers must include anesthesia providers to optimize infection control interventions as well as the anesthesia method, the location of surgery and recovery and the details of patient transport. Anesthesia staff must learn to identify patients at risk for MDRO infection. Antibiotic prophylaxis, although not evidence based, should adhere to known best practices. Adjuvant therapies (e.g. intranasal Mupirocin and bathing with antiseptics) should be considered. Addition of nonmanual OR cleaning methods such as ultraviolet irradiation or gaseous decontamination is encouraged. Anesthesiologists must undergo formal training in sterile drug preparation and administration.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2017
ReviewMaking the pediatric perioperative surgical home come to life by leveraging existing health information technology.
To design a patient data dashboard for the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital that supports care integration across the healthcare system as described by the pediatric perioperative surgical home (PPSH) initiative. ⋯ The experience with the PPSH dashboard provides solid evidence for the use of integrated Electronic Health Record to improve patient outcomes and decrease cost.
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The current review focuses on patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) with regard to recent trends in global demographics, healthcare provision for noncardiac surgery, as well as anesthetic and perioperative care for these patients. ⋯ Medical progress in treatment of CHD has shifted morbidity and mortality of these patients largely to adulthood. Future investigations including risk stratification of ACHD patients are necessary to further improve perioperative management, especially for low-risk and high-risk noncardiac management.