{"title":"Best perioperative practices in the management of obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.","authors":"Ameya Pappu, Mandeep Singh","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000001441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review is timely due to the increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, necessitating updated perioperative management strategies to improve outcomes and reduce complications.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies emphasize the importance of risk stratification using tools like STOP-Bang, highlighting the association between high-risk OSA and increased perioperative complications. Intraoperative management strategies, including the preference for regional anesthesia and careful monitoring of neuromuscular blockade, have been shown to mitigate risks. Postoperative protocols, particularly continuous monitoring, are crucial in preventing opioid-induced respiratory depression.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Effective management of OSA in ambulatory surgery requires a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing preoperative screening, tailored intraoperative techniques, and vigilant postoperative monitoring. Implementing guidelines and protocols can significantly enhance patient safety and outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":"37 6","pages":"644-650"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Medication errors and mitigation strategies in obstetric anesthesia.","authors":"Emily E Sharpe, Lisa M Corbett, Mark D Rollins","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001433","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Cases of medication errors involving unintended intrathecal administration of tranexamic acid highlight the need to improve medication safety in peripartum patients and obstetric anesthesia.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>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.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"736-742"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142331713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Madina Gerasimov, Della M Lin, Uma Munnur, Melanie Donnelly
{"title":"Preventing perioperative infections: a call to action for anesthesiologists.","authors":"Madina Gerasimov, Della M Lin, Uma Munnur, Melanie Donnelly","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000001432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the most costly complications and hospital organizations are promoting multidisciplinary approaches to address this harm. Anesthesiologists are increasingly recognized as key players influencing surgical outcomes and patient safety, and play a key role in preventing SSIs.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent guidelines and strategies to prevent SSI are focused on the areas which anesthesiologists can impact including antimicrobial prophylaxis, proper hand hygiene, decontamination of environmental surfaces and operating room equipment coming in direct contact with patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Timely interventions, including appropriate antibiotics' administration, practicing sterile and aseptic techniques when performing intraoperative procedures and handling medications are impactful steps in the process of improving rates of SSIs. Multidisciplinary participation in local and regional collaborative initiatives to improve adherence to best practices as well as integrated education of all the stakeholders are some of the principles of patient-centered care described in our review.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":"37 6","pages":"712-718"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monica W Harbell, Jonathan Cohen, Greg Balfanz, Emily Methangkool
{"title":"Mitigating and preventing perioperative opioid-related harm.","authors":"Monica W Harbell, Jonathan Cohen, Greg Balfanz, Emily Methangkool","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001426","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Opioid-naive patients are often first exposed to opioids when undergoing surgery, which can result in significant harm. Despite their benefits in reducing acute postsurgical pain, they are also associated with risks ranging from mild (e.g., pruritis, constipation, nausea) to potentially catastrophic (e.g. opioid-induced ventilatory impairment, respiratory depression, death). Overprescribing of opioids can lead to opioid diversion and drug driving. In this review, we will discuss opioid-related harm and what strategies can be used perioperatively to mitigate this harm. Interventions such as optimizing nonopioid analgesia, implementing Enhanced Recovery after Surgery programs, effective respiratory monitoring, patient education and opioid stewardship programs will be discussed.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>We will review policy and guidelines regarding perioperative opioid management and identify challenges and future directions to mitigate opioid-related harm.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"697-704"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karolina Brook, Aalok V Agarwala, Fenghua Li, Patrick L Purdon
{"title":"Depth of anesthesia monitoring: an argument for its use for patient safety.","authors":"Karolina Brook, Aalok V Agarwala, Fenghua Li, Patrick L Purdon","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001430","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001430","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We reviewed the current evidence for using a DoA monitor and its potential role in preventing awareness and preserving brain health by decreasing the incidence of postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction or decline (POCD). We also explored the evidence for use of DoA monitors in improving postoperative clinical indicators such as organ dysfunction, mortality and length of stay. We discuss the use of DoA monitoring in the pediatric population, as well as highlight the current limitations of DoA monitoring and the path forward.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>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.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"689-696"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karisa Anand, Suk Hong, Kapil Anand, Joseph Hendrix
{"title":"Machine learning: implications and applications for ambulatory anesthesia.","authors":"Karisa Anand, Suk Hong, Kapil Anand, Joseph Hendrix","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001410","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review explores the timely and relevant applications of machine learning in ambulatory anesthesia, focusing on its potential to optimize operational efficiency, personalize risk assessment, and enhance patient care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Machine learning models have demonstrated the ability to accurately forecast case durations, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) lengths of stay, and risk of hospital transfers based on preoperative patient and procedural factors. These models can inform case scheduling, resource allocation, and preoperative evaluation. Additionally, machine learning can standardize assessments, predict outcomes, improve handoff communication, and enrich patient education.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Machine learning has the potential to revolutionize ambulatory anesthesia practice by optimizing efficiency, personalizing care, and improving quality and safety. However, limitations such as algorithmic opacity, data biases, reproducibility issues, and adoption barriers must be addressed through transparent, participatory design principles and ongoing validation to ensure responsible innovation and incremental adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"619-623"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11556868/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141560186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karolina Brook, Molly Wilde, Andrea Vannucci, Aalok V Agarwala
{"title":"Beyond adverse events in anesthesiology: 'unanticipated events' and strategies for improved reporting.","authors":"Karolina Brook, Molly Wilde, Andrea Vannucci, Aalok V Agarwala","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001425","DOIUrl":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Patient safety in anesthesiology has advanced significantly over the past several decades. The current process of improving care is often based on studying adverse events (AEs) and near misses. However, there is a wealth of information not captured by focusing solely on these events, potentially resulting in missed opportunities for care improvements.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We review terms such as AEs and nonroutine events (NREs), and introduce the concept of unanticipated events (UEs), defined as events that deviate from intended care that may/may not have been caused by error, may/may not be preventable, and may/may not have caused injury to a patient. UEs incorporate AEs in addition to many other anesthetic events not routinely tracked, allowing for trend analysis over time and the identification of additional opportunities for quality improvement. We review both automated and self-reporting tools that currently exist to capture this often-neglected wealth of data. Finally, we discuss the responsibility of quality/safety leaders for data monitoring.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Consistent reporting and monitoring for trends related to UEs could allow departments to identify risks and mitigate harm before it occurs. We review various proposed methods to expand data collection, and recommend anesthesia practices pursue UE tracking through department-specific reporting interfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"727-735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing innovation to improve patient safety in anesthesiology.","authors":"Monica W Harbell","doi":"10.1097/ACO.0000000000001415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000001415","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50609,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Anesthesiology","volume":"37 6","pages":"666-668"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}