Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in China in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected nearly 500 million people around the world, resulting in 6 million deaths (1). Despite the common respiratory symptoms of the viral infection, COVID-19 affects…
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Anesthesia Considerations for Hysteroscopy
The hysteroscope is used in modern gynecology to visualize the endometrial cavity. The device is inserted through the cervix, and the entire procedure may be performed in an office setting (Okohue, 2020). Hysteroscopy is especially important in evaluating both premenopausal…
Ocular Surface Complications of Prolonged Ventilation
Ophthalmologic complications are common in critically ill patients requiring prolonged ventilation. These complications are caused by improper eye care and impaired functioning of normal mechanisms that protect the eye from dehydration and abrasion. In the era of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), where…
Reducing Medical Overtreatment via Shared Decision Making
Overtreatment is defined as treatment that is unlikely to help a patient, which can stem from various factors, including a lack of alignment between the patient’s wishes and their physician’s clinical recommendations. Examples include prescribing a medication that a patient…
Anesthesia Management of Lung Surgery
The debate around anesthesia management of lung surgery has made quite a few developments in the past decade. Perioperative pain can be extremely intense for patients undergoing thoracic incisions. Without proper anesthesia, patients may experience difficulties breathing and painful coughing…
Sotrovimab as a Potential Treatment for COVID-19
As of November 29th, 2021, the disease known as Covid-19 had already resulted in over 5.5 million recorded deaths globally.1 Though the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have been widespread, certain populations have faced a disproportionate risk of severe illness…
Myocardial Injury After Non-Cardiac Surgery
Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery, or MINS, is a condition that affects approximately 20% of patients who undergo major surgery [1]. Unfortunately, there is a strong association between MINS and major surgical patients’ short-term and long-term mortalities [1]. Furthermore, it…
Updates to the APSF Patient Safety Priorities
When it was founded in 1985, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) was first patient safety organization in the U.S. and ignited the modern patient safety movement. The APSF’s core goal is to ensure “that no patient shall be harmed…
Anesthesia Considerations for Retinal Detachment Repair
During rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery, operating teams reattach a split sensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium [1]. During the procedure, the anesthesiologist must ensure the safety of the patient and the comfort of the surgeon(s) [2]. From weighing…
“Indirect” Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As of July 9, 2021, a little over 600,000 Americans1 and four million people worldwide2 had died from COVID-19. Yet, according to experts, these data, as grim as they may seem, belie the true toll the coronavirus pandemic has exacted…