Cesarean delivery is the most commonly performed major surgery in the country. Effective postoperative pain management is of foremost concern for patients, and should be achieved through a multimodal approach. Potential complications for poor pain control in the immediate postoperative…
Speciality-wide, anesthesiologists continue to report among the highest number of medical malpractice claims, with an average paid indemnity of $130,959 and an average defense cost of $40,724.[1] Of the claims submitted against anesthesiologists, roughly half can be attributed to a…
Initiated in the 1990s, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol is an interdisciplinary, multimodal, and evidence-based approach to the perioperative management of patients undergoing major surgery. The protocol has been shown to reduce hospital stay and post-operative complications, resulting…
Inhaled nitrous oxide has been used for labor analgesia since the late 1800s. It is not a potent labor analgesic, but it can provide effective pain relief and is safe for pregnant women, their newborns, and health care workers. Nitrous…
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a common procedure in pediatric anesthesia, and occasionally in adult anesthesia. It is unfortunately also associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to both patient population and surgical complications. Anesthetic technique can significantly…
The United States is experiencing an increase of opioid related deaths, driven by high rates of prescription, high prescription dosages, and high rates of opioid use and misuse.[1] The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that 2.6 million Americans over…
Sharps related injuries are especially common in the perioperative setting. Anesthesia providers, perioperative nurses, and surgical staff are at particular risk for sustaining injuries from sharp instruments, given their need to administer medications, draw samples of blood and bodily fluid,…
For anesthesia pain specialists, neuropathic pain continues to be an elusive target. Anti-epileptics, antidepressant, and opiate medications have historically been used for its treatment, but nonetheless as many as two in three patients who suffer from neuropathic pain are recalcitrant…
On July 13th, the GOP released a more recent draft of their Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. The original version was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on June 26, 2017.[i] Though the original bill was slated…
A multipronged approach will be required to mitigate the possibility for severe physician shortages, specifically in specialized fields such as anesthesia. A physician shortage is defined as the gap between physician supply and demand, as determined by institutions within the…