AANA journal
-
Safely operating life support equipment and evaluating new technology both require some basic understanding of measurement theory. Measurement errors fall into two main categories: systematic errors (predictable problems usually due to calibration) and random errors (unpredictable). These two types of errors can be quantified by experiments involving repeated measurements of standards or "true" values. ⋯ The third step is to calculate basic descriptive statistics, such as the mean and standard deviation. Finally, the data should be presented in graphic form with the differences plotted against the reference values and including numerical values for the calculated error intervals. The key idea to remember is that device evaluation and method agreement studies are based on the desire to know how much trust we should place in single measurements that may be used to make life support decisions.
-
Review Comparative Study
Pain measurement tools for clinical practice and research.
An important component of effective postoperative pain management is a measure of the patient's pain intensity. This article examines three unidimensional pain measurement instruments and one multidimensional pain measurement instrument used in daily practice and clinical research. The strengths and weaknesses of the numerical rating scale, verbal descriptor scale, visual analogue scale, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire are discussed. Issues of validity and reliability, important in clinical research, are also presented.
-
The Mayo block is an extremely efficacious regional anesthetic technique used to provide anesthesia of the forefoot. Patients requiring surgical correction of hallux deformity, bunionectomy, and first metatarsal surgery may benefit from this technique. The Mayo block is a field block that anesthetizes the specific nerves of the forefoot that innervate the surgical field. ⋯ This technique has been used at one military hospital on more than 275 patients. The failure rate of the block is less than 1%. Learning this technique adds to the anesthetist's armamentarium of regional anesthesia, aids in rapid case turnover, and avoids the risks associated with major conduction and general anesthesia.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Cost-effective anesthesia: desflurane versus propofol in outpatient surgery.
This study compared the costs of desflurane and propofol as maintenance anesthetic agents in outpatient surgery. Recovery time and related drug expenses were included in the cost comparison. Fifty-three ASA physical status I and II patients were randomly assigned to receive a maintenance anesthetic of either desflurane with 50% nitrous oxide or propofol with 50% nitrous oxide. ⋯ There was no significant difference between the recovery times of the two groups. Desflurane was more cost-effective than propofol. Although desflurane patients experienced more nausea, this did not affect their discharge time.