Anaesthesia
-
Alongside ultrasonic visualisation, measurement of injection pressure is an effective tool for reducing the risk of intraneural injection during peripheral nerve block. The aim of this study was to compare injection pressure profiles when measured along the injection line with the pressure measured directly at the needle tip using different rates of injection. A syringe pump delivered a 5-ml injection of saline into silicone gel at three different speeds (5 ml.min-1 , 10 ml.min-1 and 15 ml.min-1 ). ⋯ More rapid rates of injection caused peak pressure measured in-line to increase, whereas pressure measured at the needle tip remained constant (mean (SD) pressure in-line 30.76 (3.45) kPa vs. 72.25 (1.55) kPa and mean (SD) pressure at needle tip 19.92 (1.22) kPa vs. 20.93 (2.66) kPa at 5 ml.min-1 and 15 ml.min-1 , respectively). Injection pressure profiles showed that in-line pressure measurement failed to record precise real-time pressure changes occurring at the needle tip (mean (95%CI) pressure difference 10.8 (6.98-14.70) kPa vs. 51.2 (47.52-54.89) kPa for in-line and needle-tip measures, respectively). We conclude that, in order to accurately monitor the true injection pressure generated, independent from operator and injection parameters, measurement at the needle tip is necessary, as injection pressure measured along the injection line is an unreliable surrogate.
-
Anaemia in surgical patients is a common and serious problem; around 40% of patients presenting for major surgery are anaemic. Patients with pre-operative anaemia have significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality and are likely to be transfused red cells. In addition, red cell transfusions are independently associated with worse outcomes. ⋯ The most common cause of pre-operative anaemia is iron deficiency, which can be treated with iron therapy. Iron clinics should be set up in either primary or secondary care to allow for optimal treatment. In this review, we present literature supporting the optimisation of pre-operative anaemia and propose a treatment algorithm.
-
There are approximately 8.5 million Jehovah's Witnesses and around 150,000 live in Great Britain and Ireland. Based on their beliefs and core values, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood component transfusion (including red cells, plasma and platelets). They regard non-consensual transfusion as a physical violation. ⋯ After discussion, a plan should then be made that is acceptable to the patient and appropriate consent obtained. When agreement cannot be reached between the doctor and the patient, referral for a second opinion should be considered. When the patient is a child, the same strategy should be used but on occasion the clinical team may have to obtain legal help.