Although a database analysis has confirmed that intraoperative awareness during general anesthesia is exceedingly rare, the study identified common characteristics that seem to make the phenomenon more likely. As such, the clinicians behind the study urged anesthesia providers to take proper precautions when faced with cases where awareness may occur.
As anesthesiologists, patients are always at the center of what we do. By design, our specialty requires us to collaborate with our colleagues to ensure that the patient has the greatest likelihood for a positive outcome. Our training—including being highly observant to changing circumstances, data-analytical from multiple sources, and precise in decision-making—is not only unique to the role of anesthesiologists in patient care but also the best foundation for a system CEO.
For the first time, researchers were able to observe, in extra-fine detail, how neurons behave as consciousness shuts down.
Global surgery, especially academic global surgery, is of tremendous interest to many surgeons. Classically, it entails personnel from high-income countries going to low- and middle-income countries and engaging in educational activities as well as procedures. Academic medical personnel have included students, residents, and attendings. The pervasive notion is that this is a win–win situation for the volunteers and the hosts, that is, a pathway to bilateral academic success. However, a critical examination demonstrates that it can easily become the bold new face of colonialism of a low- and middle-income country by a high-income country.
Anesthesia professionals – who are in close contact as they help patients breathe through airway equipment – are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and should wear N95 masks or similarly protective equipment including diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures, according to an updated statement from The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).