Surgical site infections (SSI) are the target of several national and institutional initiatives as they not uncommon, affecting 1-3% of post-operative patients.1 While some infections are superficial and associated with mild irritation and discharge, deeper infections can impair wound healing,…
Blog
The Case for Pre-Filled Syringes
As anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and other anesthesia professionals continue to advance the field, the topic of medication delivery is core to process optimization. In many medical institutions in the United States, operating rooms favor the historical vial-and-syringe…
Anesthesiology Provider Shortage in the United States
This summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a report summarizing the VA Health Administration’s Occupational Staffing Shortages. The report details the current status of VA Medical Centers across the United States, including self-reported disparities in staffing from both…
Preventing Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice claims are rising in prominence as a serious healthcare issue in the United States healthcare system. In the strictest legal definition, medical malpractice is a legal suit which must be able to attest that the healthcare practitioner breached…
Anesthesia Metabolism in Geriatric Patients
With the extension of expected life span in the United States, the aging population is expected to increase. By 2030, 20% of the country’s population will be greater than 65 years old. When compared to the younger population, elderly individuals…
Anesthesia Drug Shortage: A Vicious Cycle
Since the turn of the 21st century, drug shortages, especially those related to anesthetics, have compounded. Despite the passing of the 2012 Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), which included the Strategic Plan for Preventing and Mitigating…
The Anesthesiologist’s Code of Ethics
From pre-operative preparation and risk assessment to post-operative follow-up, anesthesiologists have a unique position in that they interact with patients across a broad spectrum of care. In addition to this breadth, they also deal with the full depth of medical…
Non-obstetric Surgery During Pregnancy
“Ugh, another pulled muscle?!?” Annalisa, who just entered her 34th week of pregnancy, stopped walking and sat down at a nearby bench to catch her breath. Her 4-year old daughter looked at her curiously. She had been growing inpatient, counting…
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Nerve Block
Family physicians, internists, pain medicine physicians, and emergency room doctors frequently write for large amounts of opioids to treat acute and chronic pain. The difficulty with this approach to patient care is that heavy doses of narcotics often do not…
MACRA and MIPS 2018 Updates
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced significant updates with regards to its value-based care programs. Of these programs, MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, represents a highly innovative legislative measure to encourage quality care…