British journal of anaesthesia
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The rate of medication errors in anaesthesia is a critical safety indicator but the methods to estimate this metric are imperfect. A number of factors that are difficult to control impact their incidence. Newer methods involving computerised records are improving retrospective and real-time monitoring of medication errors.
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Editorial Comment
Communication and team function affect patient outcomes in anaesthesia: getting the message across.
A study in this edition of the Journal has added to data showing that failures in communication in the operating room contribute to patient harm. These data support the view that multidisciplinary teamwork and communication training should be part of the continuous professional development of all members of the perioperative team. Achieving change will require efforts to win the hearts and minds of all concerned, but these data also support an expectation that engagement in initiatives and techniques to enhance communication and teamwork should not be optional.
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Observational Study
Surgical activity in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide observational cohort study.
A significant proportion of healthcare resource has been diverted to the care of those with COVID-19. This study reports the volume of surgical activity and the number of cancelled surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The volume of surgical activity in England and Wales was reduced by 33.6% in 2020, resulting in more than 1.5 million cancelled operations. This deficit will continue to grow in 2021.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reversal of residual neuromuscular block with neostigmine or sugammadex and postoperative pulmonary complications: a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial in high-risk older patients.
Residual neuromuscular block is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in retrospective studies. The aim of our study was to investigate prospectively the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after reversal with either sugammadex (SUG) or neostigmine (NEO) in high-risk older patients. ⋯ ACTRN12614000108617.