Anesthesia Providers Research Articles

THE AUTHORITY OF ANESTHESIA TECHNICIANS IN CONDUCTING ANESTHESIA PRACTICES REVIEWED IN LIGHT OF MINISTER OF HEALTH REGULATION NUMBER 18 OF 2016 REGARDING THE LICENSING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ANESTHESIA TECHNICIAN PRACTICES (A STUDY AT MELAWI DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL, WEST KALIMANTAN)

This study aims to evaluate the clinical authority of anesthesia providers in relation to Health Regulation No. 18/2016 and its implementation at Melawi Regional General Hospital. Anesthesia services in Indonesia are performed by anesthesiologists and anesthetists. The government issued Minister of Health Regulation Number 18 Year 2016 on Anesthesia Practice Permits and Implementation to clarify the responsibilities of anesthesiologists in performing such medical actions. In addition, nowadays, it is highly recommended that all hospitals be accredited to measure public safety and service quality. As part of the accreditation process, all medical professionals will be required to provide evidence of proficiency by demonstrating their credentials. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the clinical authority of anesthesia providers in relation to Health Regulation Number 18 Year 2016 and its implementation. Examining Health Regulation No. 18/2016 on the License to Practice and Implementation of Anesthesia, this research uses a normative juridical analytical approach. The legal review was conducted by referring to several legal materials and expert opinions. The results showed that the authority of the anesthesiologist at Melawi Regional General Hospital is in accordance with Permenkes No. 18 of 2016. The research also noted that the procedure for delegation of authority from anesthesiologist to anesthesiologist is carried out with Standard Operating Procedures that have been determined by the Melawi Regional General Hospital. Keywords: Anesthesiologist; Authority; Implementation.

Managing the Lactating Patient Receiving Anesthesia: An Innovative Educational Initiative.

Background: Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for patients and their infants. There are inconsistencies in how anesthesia providers care for lactating patients undergoing anesthesia. Providers may be cautious and have patients "pump and dump" instead of following current evidence-based recommendations. Video-based education provides a novel reference for health care providers in their fast-paced work environments. This project evaluated the effectiveness of an online video module and resources accessed at the bedside for anesthesia providers caring for lactating patients. Materials and Methods: A preintervention survey was sent to anesthesia providers at a large academic institution to assess baseline knowledge of current recommendations for caring for lactating patients having anesthesia. A quick response code-linked video module and references were created and disseminated to all anesthesia providers. A postsurvey was sent to assess knowledge and satisfaction with the educational approach. Postsurvey data were compared with presurvey data. Results: All who watched the educational video found the education helpful to care for lactating patients undergoing surgery. In the posteducation group, 93% of providers selected the correct recommendation to continue breastfeeding or pumping after general anesthesia or sedation once the patient is awake and alert, compared with 48% in the pre-education group. After education, 92% would recommend preoperative feeding or pumping prior to transport to the operating room, compared with the 50% in the pre-education group. Conclusions: Video-based, just-in-time education is an effective way to deliver updated information to anesthesia providers. This format is conducive to just-in-time delivery, and there may be implications for other patient populations that present infrequently but require population-specific care.

725 Satisfaction of Patient, Burn Nurse/Tech and Anesthesia Provider for Monitored Anesthesia Care Burn Dressing Change

725 Satisfaction of Patient, Burn Nurse/Tech and Anesthesia Provider for Monitored Anesthesia Care Burn Dressing Change

Precision feedback: A conceptual model.

When performance data are provided as feedback to healthcare professionals, they may use it to significantly improve care quality. However, the question of how to provide effective feedback remains unanswered, as decades of evidence have produced a consistent pattern of effects-with wide variation. From a coaching perspective, feedback is often based on a learner's objectives and goals. Furthermore, when coaches provide feedback, it is ideally informed by their understanding of the learner's needs and motivation. We anticipate that a "coaching"-informed approach to feedback may improve its effectiveness in two ways. First, by aligning feedback with healthcare professionals' chosen goals and objectives, and second, by enabling large-scale feedback systems to use new types of data to learn what kind of performance information is motivating in general. Our objective is to propose a conceptual model of precision feedback to support these anticipated enhancements to feedback interventions. We iteratively represented models of feedback's influence from theories of motivation and behavior change, visualization, and human-computer interaction. Through cycles of discussion and reflection, application to clinical examples, and software development, we implemented and refined the models in a software application to generate precision feedback messages from performance data for anesthesia providers. We propose that precision feedback is feedback that is prioritized according to its motivational potential for a specific recipient. We identified three factors that influence motivational potential: (1) the motivating information in a recipient's performance data, (2) the surprisingness of the motivating information, and (3) a recipient's preferences for motivating information and its visual display. We propose a model of precision feedback that is aligned with leading theories of feedback interventions to support learning about the success of feedback interventions. We plan to evaluate this model in a randomized controlled trial of a precision feedback system that enhances feedback emails to anesthesia providers.

Incidence and factors associated with failed spinal anaesthesia among patients undergoing surgery: a multi- center prospective observational study

BackgroundFailed spinal anaesthesia causes prolonging of operation time, insufficient analgesia for surgery and needs repeating spinal anaesthesia which in turn causes local anaesthesia toxicity, high spinal and total spinal, and conversion to general anaesthesia. However, the problem remains unexplored in Amhara regional state comprehensive specialized hospitals.ObjectiveTo determine incidence and factors associated with failed spinal anaesthesia among patients undergoing surgery in selected Amhara National Regional State comprehensive specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsMulti-center prospective observational study was conducted. Data was collected using questionnaire and checklist. All consecutive scheduled emergency and elective patients were included in the study. Data was transformed from Epi data to SPSS and logistic regression analysis was done. Both crude and adjusted odds ratio were used to assess the strength of association. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 532 patients were included in this study with a response rate of 98%. Incidence of failed spinal anaesthesia was 22.4% (CI = 19-25.9). Emergency surgery (AOR = 7.01, CI = 4.5–12.7), dose of bupivacaine of ≤ 10 mg (AOR = 3.02, CI = 1.3–10.2), work experience of anaesthetist < 2 years (AOR = 3.1, CI = 1.7–5.72), bloody CSF (AOR = 8.5, CI = 2.53–18.5), hyperbaric local anaesthetic drug (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 3.2–8.2) and local anaesthetist without adjuvants (AOR = 5.25, CI = 2.62–14.2) were associated failed spinal anaesthesia.Conclusion and recommendationThe incidence of failed spinal anaesthesia was high in Amhara Region comprehensive specialized hospitals. We suggest that anaesthesia providers should minimize failure by using adjuvants and appropriate dose of local anaesthetic. Additionally, simulation training should be given for anaesthesia trainees to improve their skills and to produce competent professionals.

Standardizing the Dosage and Timing of Dexamethasone for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Prophylaxis at a Safety-Net Hospital System

A single dose of dexamethasone is routinely given during general anesthesia for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis, although the exact dosage and timing of administration may vary between practitioners. The authors aimed to standardize the dosage and timing of this medication when given to adult patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery. Baseline data for 7,483 preintervention cases were analyzed. The researchers attempted to use a standard dose of 8 to 10 mg induction of anesthesia, which, based on a literature review, was effective for PONV prophylaxis, had a similar safety profile as a 4 to 5 mg dose (including in diabetic patients), and may confer additional benefits such as improved prophylaxis and quality of recovery. The interventions included standardizing the medication concentration vials, altering electronic health record quick-select button options, simplifying the intraoperative charting process, and educating the anesthesia providers. The research team then tracked compliance with the standard of care for 2,167 cases after the interventions. Overall compliance with the standard of care increased from 21.2% preintervention to 53.7% postintervention. The number of patients not receiving dexamethasone was reduced from 29.7% to 19.4%. Patients receiving a compliant dose at a noncompliant time increased from 16.3% to 23.8%. Postanesthesia care unit antiemetic administration also decreased after the interventions. This study showed improvements in compliance with the dosage of medication with the interventions. However, compliance with the timing of administration remains challenging.

Malignant hyperthermia safety - A nationwide survey of publicly funded Swedish healthcare.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare pharmacogenetic disorder that can lead to a life-threatening reaction during general anaesthesia with triggering agents. Prompt life-saving treatment includes the immediate administration of the antidote dantrolene. This study investigated Swedish healthcare providers' awareness and adherence to guidelines and recommendations with respect to MH and whether adherence to safe MH-praxis varies with hospital care-complexity level and private versus public management form. Agreements and procurement specifications between all 21 Swedish County Councils and privately run surgical care providers were reviewed alongside with questionnaire-aided collection of information from 62 publicly funded health care providers (both privately and publicly run). No procurement requirement specification or contract contained requirements on anaesthesia or aspects of MH. All publicly run hospitals stocked dantrolene and 28 out of 52 (54%) stocked the recommended amount. Seven out of nine (78%) of the privately run institutions stocked dantrolene, and one stocked the recommended amount. Publicly run hospitals adhered to recommendations to a greater extent than privately run institutions, both with respect to stocking of dantrolene (p = .02) and to stocking the recommended amount (p = .03). Contracts between Swedish county councils and private surgical care subcontractors rarely outline expectations of standards for the safe practice of anaesthesia such as preparedness to handle a life-threatening MH reaction. Among Swedish publicly funded anaesthesia providers there is room for improvement in adherence to the EMHG guideline on dantrolene availability. Publicly run hospitals seem to have better compliance with these recommendations than privately run institutions. Raising awareness about current guidelines is important to improve safety for known and unknown MH-susceptible individuals.

Mouse Anesthesia and Analgesia

AbstractProviding anesthesia and analgesia for mouse subjects is a common and critical practice in the laboratory setting. This practice is necessary for performing invasive procedures, achieving prolonged immobility for sensitive imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, for instance), and providing intra‐ and post‐procedural pain relief. In addition to facilitating the procedures performed by the investigator, the provision of anesthesia and analgesia is crucial for the preservation of animal welfare and for humane treatment of animals used in research. Furthermore, anesthesia and analgesia are important components of animal use protocols reviewed by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, requiring careful consideration and planning for the particular animal model. In this article, we provide technical guidance for the investigator, covering the provision of anesthesia by two routes (injectable and inhalant), guidelines for monitoring anesthesia, current techniques for recognition of pain, considerations for administering preventative analgesia, and considerations for post‐operative care. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Injectable anesthesiaBasic Protocol 2: Inhalant anesthesiaBasic Protocol 3: Assessing pain

Indicators of pain syndrome in the postoperative period during endoprosthesis of hip and knee joints in patients with diabetes

Hip and knee arthroplasty refer to the widespread surgical interventions. Diabetes mellitus is one of the common diseases that negatively affect the results of these operations.&#x0D; Objective — to determine pain syndrome during anesthesia and in the early postoperative period during hip and knee arthroplasty in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study involved 69 patients who underwent hip and knee arthroplasty surgery. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the scheme of anesthesia provision. Patients of the first group (n=20) underwent multicomponent low‑flow anesthesia with artificial lung ventilation; in the second group (n=24) spinal anesthesia was used for pain relief; in the third group (n=25) combined spinal‑epidural anesthesia with dexmedetomidine sedation was performed.&#x0D; Results. The significant difference in the severity of pain has been reveled in the study groups in the postoperative period after 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours. In particular, after 6 hours in group 1, the pain was more severe than in group 2 (p&lt;0,001) and group 3 (p&lt;0,001); in group 2 and group 3, the pain was of the same intensity (p&gt;0,05). At 12 hours postoperatively, the pain in patients in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (p&lt;0,01) and group 3 (p&lt;0,001); and the pain in group 2 was more severe than in group 3 (p&lt;0,05). After 18 hours, the pain in group 1 and group 2 was significantly worse than in group 3 (both p&lt;0,001); at the same time, the pain level in group 1 and group 3 did not differ (p&gt;0,05). At 1 day postoperatively, significantly more pain was observed in group 1 compared to group 3 (p&lt;0,001), and in group 2 compared to group 3 (p&lt;0,001); pain in group 1 and group 2 did not differ (p&gt;0,05).&#x0D; Conclusions. Any of the proposed methods can be used for anesthetic support of hip and knee arthroplasty operations, but regional anesthesia methods provided the best results of pain relief in the postoperative period compared to general anesthesia. Patients from group 3 (combined spinal‑epidural anesthesia) were best anesthetized.

Qualitative Exploration of Anesthesia Providers' Perceptions Regarding Philips Visual Patient Avatar in Clinical Practice.

The Philips Visual Patient Avatar, a user-centered visualization technology, offers an alternative approach to patient monitoring. Computer-based simulation studies indicate that it increases diagnostic accuracy and confidence, while reducing perceived workload. About three months after the technology's integration into clinical practice, we conducted an assessment among anesthesia providers to determine their views on its strengths, limitations, and overall perceptions. This single-center qualitative study at the University Hospital of Zurich examined anesthesia providers' perceptions of the Philips Visual Patient Avatar after its implementation. The study included an online survey to identify medical personnel's opinions on the technology's strengths and areas for improvement, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of 63 of the 377 invited anesthesia providers (16.7%) responded to the survey. Overall, 163 comments were collected. The most prevalent positive themes were good presentation of specific parameters (16/163; 9.8%) and quick overview/rapid identification of problems (15/163; 9.2%). The most common perceived area for improvement was the ability to adjust the visualization thresholds of Visual Patient Avatar, which represent the physiological upper and lower vital-sign limits (33/163; 20.3%). The study showed that users consider Philips Visual Patient Avatar a valuable asset in anesthesia, allowing for easier identification of underlying problems. However, the study also revealed a user desire for the ability to freely adjust the thresholds of the Visual Patient Avatar by the handling caregivers, which were fixed to the departmental standard during the study.

Comparative study between Ketamine and Propofol versus Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine for Monitored Anaesthesia Care for Dilatation and Curettage surgeries in Daycare procedures

Introduction. Anaesthesia is frequently administered through Monitored Anaesthesia Care (MAC) utilising various combinations of anaesthetic drugs for moderately painful operations like Dilatation and Curettage (D&amp;C), which is preferably done as a daycare procedure. The hunt for improved drug combinations is always ongoing, and the pharmacological properties of the individual drugs are considered. In this regard, anaesthesiologists all over the world are quite fond of the combination of Ketamine and Propofol, which is also known as Ketofol. Recently, especially in situations involving MRI sedation, the combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine (Dexket) has gained popularity. This study compares the combinations for MAC during D&amp;C surgeries in a daycare setting. Aim. The primary objective was to estimate the recovery times using either combination. Secondarily, we would also compare the duration of analgesia, the haemodynamics, and the side-effect profiles of the two combinations. Material and Methods. This study enrolled 60 patients posted for elective D&amp;C. According to standard institutional protocols, they were administered Ketofol(KP group) or Dexket(KD group), depending on the anaesthesia provider’s choice. The Ketofol group received Ketamine 1mg/kg and Propofol 1mg/kg with boluses of Ketamine 0.25mg/kg to maintain the depth of anaesthesia using Ramsay sedation score(RSS) &gt;3. KD group received Dexmedetomidine intravenously 1mic/kg over 10 minutes followed by ketamine 1mg/kg boluses of Ketamine 0.25mg/kg to maintain the adequate anaesthetic depth of RSS&gt;3. Results. The Recovery time in post-operative period was significantly prolonged in the KD group (mean 22.77 minutes) compared to the KP group (mean 17.8 minutes). The total duration of analgesia was also longer in the KD group (250 minutes vs 220 minutes in the KP group). It was seen that the hemodynamic variables (HR, SBP, DBP) were consistently higher in the KD group compared to the KP group. There was a significant difference in SBP, DBP, and MAP in the intraoperative period between the KP and KD groups till 4hr in the postoperative period. Conclusions. We conclude that a combination of Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine has longer recovery times and analgesia duration than a combination of Propofol and Ketamine. Side effects like postoperative nausea and vomiting are not significant. However, since the recovery times are comparatively longer in a daycare setting, dexmedetomidine and Ketamine may not be the preferred agents compared to the combination of Ketamine and Propofol in the context of a daycare setting.

Anaesthesia delivery systems in low and lower-middle-income Asian countries: A scoping review of capacity and effectiveness.

Literature on anaesthesia systems in low and lower middle-income countries is limited, focused on the Africa region, and provides minimal data on anaesthesia or associated disciplines within intensive care, pain management and emergency medicine. We thus conducted a scoping review of primary and secondary research literature on capacity and effectiveness of anaesthesia delivery in low and lower middle-income countries in the Asia region from 2000-2021, to clarify existing knowledge, important gaps, and possible subsequent steps. We applied Arksey and O'Malley's scoping literature review method to search five databases (i.e. EMBASE, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science), screen, extract, and synthesise data under three themes: (i) availability and type of anaesthesia workforce; (ii) anaesthesia system infrastructure, equipment, and supplies; and (iii) effectiveness of anaesthesia provision. We included 25 eligible sources of 603 identified. Only ten (40%) were published in the last 5 years and Asian lower-income countries were primarily represented in 15 multi-country sources. Fifteen (60%) sources used quantitative methods and provided limited information on data collection, e.g. sampling criteria or geographic areas included. No sources included countrywide data, despite anaesthesia delivery and resources differing significantly sub-nationally (e.g. central versus rural/remote, or insecure areas). Data on anaesthesiology delivery were limited, with findings including insufficiencies in workforce, supplies, training, and skills-building of anaesthesia personnel, along with the lack of consistent strategies for overcoming maldistribution of resources and improving anaesthesia delivery systems in the region. This review, a first attempt to synthesise existing data on anaesthesia delivery systems in low and lower-middle-income Asian countries, shows the anaesthesia literature is still limited. Findings highlight the urgent need for additional research and collaboration nationally and regionally to strengthen anaesthesia delivery and surgical facilities in resource-constrained settings.

Point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric anesthesiology: considerations for training and credentialing.

To discuss considerations surrounding the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric anesthesiology. POCUS is an indispensable tool in various medical specialties, including pediatric anesthesiology. Credentialing for POCUS should be considered to ensure that practitioners are able to acquire images, interpret them correctly, and use ultrasound to guide procedures safely and effectively. In the absence of formal guidelines for anesthesiology, current practice and oversight varies by institution. In this review, we will explore the significance of POCUS in pediatric anesthesiology, discuss credentialing, and compare the specific requirements and challenges currently associated with using POCUS in pediatric anesthesia. Point-of-care ultrasound is being utilized by the pediatric anesthesiologist and has the potential to improve patient assessment, procedure guidance, and decision-making. Guidelines increase standardization and quality assurance procedures help maintain high-quality data. Credentialing standards for POCUS in pediatric anesthesiology are essential to ensure that practitioners have the necessary skills and knowledge to use this technology effectively and safely. Currently, there are no national pediatric POCUS guidelines to base credentialing processes on for pediatric anesthesia practices. Further work directed at establishing pediatric-specific curriculum goals and competency standards are needed to train current and future pediatric anesthesia providers and increase overall acceptance of POCUS use.

The Global Anesthesia Workforce Survey: Updates and Trends in the Anesthesia Workforce.

There is a large global deficit of anesthesia providers. In 2016, the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) conducted a survey to count the number of anesthesia providers worldwide. Much work has taken place since then to strengthen the anesthesia health workforce. This study updates the global count of anesthesia providers. Between 2021 and 2023, an electronic survey was sent to national professional societies of physician anesthesia providers (PAPs), nurse anesthetists, and other nonphysician anesthesia providers (NPAPs). Data included number of providers and trainees, proportion of females, and limited intensive care unit (ICU) capacity data. Descriptive statistics were calculated by country, World Bank income group, and World Health Organization (WHO) region. Provider density is reported as the number of providers per 100,000 population. Responses were obtained for 172 of 193 United Nations (UN) member countries. The global provider density was 8.8 (PAP 6.6 NPAP 2.3). Seventy-six countries had a PAP density <5, whereas 66 countries had a total provider density <5. PAP density increased everywhere except for high- and low-income countries and the African region. The overall size of the global anesthesia workforce has increased over time, although some countries have experienced a decrease. Population growth and differences in which provider types that are counted can have an important impact on provider density. More work is needed to define appropriate metrics for measuring changes in density, to describe anesthesia cadres, and to improve workforce data collection processes. Effort to scale up anesthesia provider training must urgently continue.

Effect of a non-reactive absorbent with or without environmentally oriented electronic feedback on anesthesia provider's fresh gas flow rates: A greening initiative

Study objectiveTo examine the effects of a non-reactive carbon dioxide absorbent (AMSORB® Plus) versus a traditional carbon dioxide absorbent (Medisorb™) on the FGF used by anesthesia providers and an electronic educational feedback intervention using Carestation™ Insights (GE HealthCare) on provider-specific change in FGF. DesignProspective, single-center cohort study set in a greening initiative. SettingOperating room. Participants157 anesthesia providers (i.e., anesthesiology trainees, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and solo anesthesiologists). InterventionsIntervention #1 was the introduction of AMSORB® Plus into 8 Aisys CS2, Carestation™ Insights-enabled anesthesia machines (GE HealthCare) at the study site. At the end of week 6, anesthesia providers were educated and given an environmentally oriented electronic feedback strategy for the next 12 weeks of the study (Intervention #2) using Carestation™ Insights data. MeasurementsThe dual primary outcomes were the difference in average daily FGF during maintenance anesthesia between machines assigned to AMSORB® Plus versus Medisorb™ and the provider-specific change in average fresh gas flows after 12 weeks of feedback and education compared to the historical data. Main resultsOver the 18-week period, there were 1577 inhaled anesthetics performed in the 8 operating rooms (528 for intervention 1, 1049 for intervention 2). There were 1001 provider days using Aisys CS2 machines and 7452 provider days of historical data from the preceding year. Overall, AMSORB® Plus was not associated with significantly less FGF (mean − 80 ml/min, 97.5% confidence interval − 206 to 46, P = .15). The environmentally oriented electronic feedback intervention was not associated with a significant decrease in provider-specific mean FGF (−112 ml/min, 97.5% confidence interval − 244 to 21, P = .059). ConclusionsThis study showed that introducing a non-reactive absorbent did not significantly alter FGF. Using environmentally oriented electronic feedback relying on data analytics did not result in significantly reduced provider-specific FGF.

Department of Anesthesiology Skilled Peer Support Program Outcomes: Second Victim Perceptions

Most anesthesia providers experience an adverse event during their training or career. Limited evidence suggests skilled peer support programs (SPSPs) reduce initial distress and support adaptive functioning and coping. This study evaluated second victim perceptions of a voluntary SPSP. An SPSP was developed and implemented for all clinical and administrative personnel in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine in three hospitals and six outpatient surgery centers in December 2017. The program incorporated the Scott Three-Tiered Interventional Model of Second Victim Support. Surveys were offered to clinicians in the department prior to implementation of the SPSP and again 18 months after implementation. Among the subset of respondents who experienced a serious adverse patient event, the authors used multiple logistic regression models that adjusted for role and number of night shifts per month to examine differences in perceived resource availability and post-event support received following implementation of the program. There were 94 surveys (83 complete; 11 partially complete) collected prior to implementation and 84 surveys (67 complete; 17 partially complete) collected after implementation. A total of 25 individuals took the survey at both pre and post (19 complete). After implementation, 62.5% of respondents indicated that institutional support had improved since the occurrence of their serious adverse patient event. Statistical models identified a significant improvement in the probability that a clinician agreed with the statement "I think that the organization learned from the event and took appropriate steps to reduce the chance of it happening again" at post vs. pre (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-15.1. A statistically significant increase from pre to post in the perceived availability of formal emotional support was identified (aOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.9-22.5). Implementation of a skilled peer support program within a large department of anesthesiology can improve institutional-based emotional support.

A survey of Canadian specialist anesthesiologists and family practice anesthetists: rural operating room use, a mixed model of care, and mentoring.

The aim of this project was to collect data on the delivery of anesthesia in Canada. Specifically, our goal was to increase knowledge by identifying provider demographics and different models of anesthesia delivery, and to explore relationships among specialist anesthesiologists (SAs) and family practice anesthetists (FPAs) with a focus on mentoring. An online questionnaire was circulated to SAs and FPAs holding membership with the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society or the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada. A total of 274/2,578 individuals completed the survey (170 SAs and 104 FPAs), providing a response rate of 10.6%. The survey included questions about demographics, anesthesia training, anesthesia resources, models of care, and mentoring relationships. Three major themes emerged from the data: 1) FPAs and rural operating rooms are underused resources as 65% (64/98) of FPAs reported having capacity to increase their individual volume of anesthesia services and 41% (40/98) thought capacity existed within their hospital to increase the volume of surgery; 2) 20 hospitals employed a mixed model of anesthesia care whereby SAs and FPAs worked collectively within the same site; providers working within this model reported high levels of satisfaction and independence; 3) most SAs and FPAs perceived a benefit to mentoring and were interested in participating in a mentoring program. This survey shows perceived capacity to expand surgical services in rural areas, a precedent for a mixed SA-FPA model of anesthesia delivery at the same site, and desire for anesthesia providers to engage in mentoring. Such options should be considered to strengthen the physician-led anesthesiology profession in Canada.

Anesthesia of a drug-addicted pregnant woman. The current state of knowledge

IntroductionStimulant use during pregnancy is a growing concern, particularly in the USA and Europe. This article explores anesthesia challenges in pregnant patients with substance abuse, optimizing analgesic treatment, and addressing newborns of addicted mothers. Understanding substance use differences is crucial for managing complications and providing long-term care.AimInvestigate anesthesia management, analgesic optimization, and care for newborns of drug-addicted pregnant patients.Material and methodsA comprehensive literature review included articles from PubMed (from January 2009 to December 2021) and relevant Polish, English, and German literature.Results and discussionOpioid use by pregnant women, especially in North America, raises concerns for maternal and child health. The incidence of newborns with withdrawal syndrome is rapidly increasing. Anesthesia challenges arise in managing pregnant patients with addiction, including analgesia optimization and reducing neonatal abstinence syndrome risk. Individualized approaches like regional anesthesia minimize systemic opioids and neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted therapy, e.g., buprenorphine and methadone, reduces illicit opioid use and improves outcomes for mother and baby. Collaborative care among providers is essential.ConclusionsManaging drug-addicted pregnant women requires a multidisciplinary approach. Anesthesia providers play a crucial role in ensuring safety and pain control.

Advances in pediatric perioperative care using artificial intelligence.

This article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to evaluate risks in pediatric perioperative care. It will also describe potential future applications of AI, such as models for airway device selection, controlling anesthetic depth and nociception during surgery, and contributing to the training of pediatric anesthesia providers. The use of AI in healthcare has increased in recent years, largely due to the accessibility of large datasets, such as those gathered from electronic health records. Although there has been less focus on pediatric anesthesia compared to adult anesthesia, research is on- going, especially for applications focused on risk factor identification for adverse perioperative events. Despite these advances, the lack of formal external validation or feasibility testing results in uncertainty surrounding the clinical applicability of these tools. The goal of using AI in pediatric anesthesia is to assist clinicians in providing safe and efficient care. Given that children are a vulnerable population, it is crucial to ensure that both clinicians and families have confidence in the clinical tools used to inform medical decision- making. While not yet a reality, the eventual incorporation of AI-based tools holds great potential to contribute to the safe and efficient care of our patients.

Global Issues in Obstetric Anesthesia: Perspectives From South Africa, Japan, China, Latin America, and North America

(Int J Obstet Anesth. 2023:54:103648) Anesthesia provision varies worldwide, and obstetric anesthesia in particular is highly variable. The first country discussed in this article is South Africa, which is classified as a low-income to middle-income country. South Africa has high patient mortality related to cesarean delivery. The epidural rates for labor in South Africa are &lt;5%, which is considered extremely low. Approximately one-third of maternal deaths investigated occurred following the administration of spinal anesthesia. In South Africa, it is 3 times more likely for maternal mortality to occur following cesarean delivery than vaginal birth. The mortality rates following a cesarean delivery in South Africa are also 50 times higher than in other regions of the world. Training has been implemented to reduce these statistics, although the level of preparedness following this training has been questioned.