Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of earplugs on propofol requirement and awareness with recall during spinal anesthesia.
investigator either placed or did not place earplugs into the patients' ears (PLUG or noPLUG groups, respectively). Propofol requirements for stable sedation guided by the bispectral index and incidence of postoperative recall of intraoperative events were assessed in a double-blinded fashion. ⋯ Although no sedative-sparing effect could be found in patients who wore earplugs during elective orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia, we nevertheless recommend using single-use paraffin wax earplugs. Beside their beneficial effect against potential harmful intraoperative noise, they reduce the incidence of intraoperative awareness with recall.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic (APEC): a prospective randomized controlled trial assessing impact on consultation time, direct costs, patient education and satisfaction with anesthesia care.
Anesthetic preoperative evaluation clinics (APECs) are relatively new institutions. Although cost effective, APECs have not been universally adopted in Europe. The aim of this study was to compare preoperative anesthetic assessment in wards with an APEC, assessing time, information gain, patient satisfaction and secondary costs. ⋯ The APEC reduced consultation times and costs and had a positive impact on patient education. The cost savings are related to personnel costs and, therefore, are independent of other potential savings of an APEC, whereas global patient satisfaction remains unaltered.