Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2024
ReviewMedication errors and mitigation strategies in obstetric anesthesia.
Medication administration errors represent a significant yet preventable cause of patient harm in the peripartum period. Implementation of best practices contained in this manuscript can significantly reduce medication errors and associated patient harm. ⋯ In obstetric anesthesia, medication errors can include wrong medication, dose, route, time, patient, or infusion setting. These errors are often underreported, have the potential to be catastrophic, and most can be prevented. Implementation of various types of best practice cost effective mitigation strategies include recommendations to improve drug labeling, optimize storage, determine correct medication prior to administration, use non-Luer epidural and intravenous connection ports, follow patient monitoring guidelines, use smart pumps and protocols for all infusions, disseminate medication safety educational material, and optimize staffing models. Vigilance in patient care and implementation of improved patient safety measures are urgently needed to decrease harm to mothers and newborns worldwide.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2024
ReviewDepth of anesthesia monitoring: an argument for its use for patient safety.
There have been significant advancements in depth of anesthesia (DoA) technology. The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation recently published recommendations to use a DoA monitor in specific patient populations receiving general anesthesia. However, the universal use of DoA monitoring is not yet accepted. This review explores the current state of DoA monitors and their potential impact on patient safety. ⋯ There is evidence that DoA monitoring may decrease the incidence of awareness, postoperative delirium, POCD and improve several postoperative outcomes. In children, DoA monitoring may decrease the incidence of awareness and emergence delirium, but long-term effects are unknown. While there are key limitations to DoA monitoring technology, we argue that DoA monitoring shows great promise in improving patient safety in most, if not all anesthetic populations.
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To explore the collaboration between human factors (HFs) experts and clinicians in order to improve perioperative patient safety. ⋯ Human factors engineering is underutilized worldwide. Patient safety would benefit from collaboration with HF experts to design resilient systems. Healthcare organizations must consider HF to develop and implement user-centered solutions to improve safety for patients and professionals.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2024
ReviewMore than pacemakers and defibrillators: perioperative management of implantable devices for patient safety.
The use of implantable medical devices (IMDs) continues to increase with estimates that 10% of the American population will have an IMD in their lifetime. IMDs require special considerations for management in the perioperative period to ensure optimal patient care and patient safety. This review summarizes the current perioperative considerations for IMDs. ⋯ There are very few guidelines regarding the perioperative management of IMDs. Given the significant impact that these devices have on patient care and safety, evidence-based guidelines should be established.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2024
ReviewMitigating and preventing perioperative opioid-related harm.
Although necessary for treatment of acute pain, opioids are associated with significant harm in the perioperative period and further intervention is necessary perioperatively to mitigate opioid-related harm. ⋯ We will review policy and guidelines regarding perioperative opioid management and identify challenges and future directions to mitigate opioid-related harm.