A model for occupational stress amongst paediatric and adult critical care staff during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has placed all intensive care unit (ICU) staff at increased risk of psychological distress. To date, measurement of this distress has largely been by means of validated assessment tools. We believe that qualitative data may provide a richer view of staff experiences during this pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study using online and written questionnaires to all ICU staff which consisted of validated tools to measure psychological distress (quantitative findings) and open-ended questions with free-text boxes (qualitative findings). Here, we report our qualitative findings. We asked four questions to explore causes of stress, need for supports and barriers to accessing supports. A conventional content analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: In total, 269 of the 408 respondents (65.9%) gave at least one response to a free-text question. Seven overarching themes were found, which contribute to our proposed model for occupational stress amongst critical care staff. The work environment played an important role in influencing the perceived psychological impact on healthcare workers. Extra-organisational factors, which we termed the "home-work interface" and uncertainty about the future, manifested as anticipatory anxiety, had a proportionally larger influence on worker well-being than would be expected in non-pandemic conditions. CONCLUSION: Our findings have important implications for appropriate allocation of resources and ensuring well-being of the ICU multidisciplinary team for this and future pandemics.

Improving time to surgery for hip fracture patients. Impact of the introduction of an emergency theatre.

Hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality1. Surgery performed on the day of or after admission is associated with improved outcome2,3. An audit cycle was performed examining time to surgery for hip fracture patients. Our initial audit identified lack of theatre space as one factor delaying surgery. A dedicated daytime emergency theatre was subsequently opened and a re-audit was performed to assess its impact on time to surgery. Following the opening of the theatre, the proportion of patients with a delay to hip fracture surgery greater than 36 hours was reduced from 49% to 26% with lack of theatre space accounting for 23% (3 of 13) of delayed cases versus 28.6% (9 of 32) previously. 44% of hip fracture surgeries were performed in the emergency theatre during daytime hours, whilst in-hospital mortality rose from 4.6% to 6%. We conclude that access to an emergency theatre during daytime hours reduced inappropriate delays to hip fracture surgery.

Predictors of outcome in decompensated liver disease: validation of the SOFA-L score.

A growing number of patients with liver disease are being referred for critical care support. We have recently shown that a combination of lactate and SOFA score (SOFA-L score) may provide an accurate, objective measurement of prognosis in a group of patients admitted to ICU with alcoholic liver disease. This score has not been validated in an independent patient cohort. A retrospective study was performed where patients admitted to our ICU with decompensated liver disease (any cause) were included. The SOFA-L score accurately predicted in-hospital mortality in this group of patients with an area under the ROC curve of 0.83. Sensitivity and specificity were 65% and 87% respectively SOFA-L performed superior to SOFA, MELD and MELD-Na scores. This study validates the use of the SOFA-L score in the initial 24 hours of ICU admission as an accurate predictor of mortality in this group of patients with a high mortality.

Anaesthesia considerations for assisted reproductive technology: a focused review.

The global burden of infertility is significant and the evidence suggests it is increasing in prevalence worldwide. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are fertility related treatments used to achieve pregnancy which involve the manipulation of both oocytes and sperm. The specialty is rapidly growing and anaesthesia may be required for several stages in the ART cycle. Anaesthesiologists should appreciate the processes involved and how anaesthesia care can influence safe and effective treatment outcomes. In this review article we explain the key steps of the ART cycle and the role of anaesthesiologists in this process. We also highlight key patient considerations, the implications of remote site anaesthesia and the safety concerns with provision of sedation by non-anaesthesiologists. Finally we outline a typical anaesthetic technique used in our institution for transvaginal oocyte retrieval.

Quality of recovery and maternal satisfaction after caesarean delivery: a mixed-methods prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction and quality of recovery (QoR) are important patient-reported outcomes and quality metrics. The relationship between these two outcomes is complex, with studies showing a weak correlation between them in the non-obstetric population. We sought to evaluate the correlation between patient satisfaction and QoR scores in the obstetric population after caesarean delivery. As secondary aims, we aimed to determine the influence of urgency of procedure and mode of anaesthetic on patient satisfaction and QoR scores as well as determining drivers of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. METHODS: Women were invited to complete the Maternal Satisfaction Scale for Caesarean Section (MSCS) and Obstetric Quality of Recovery Score (ObsQoR-11) questionnaires at 24 h after caesarean delivery. Correlations were analysed using Spearman's rank tests. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Data were collected from 300 women. There was a significant but weak positive correlation between ObsQoR-11 and MSCS scores (r = 0.31, P < 0.001). Correlation was significantly influenced by mode of anaesthesia (P < 0.001) and urgency of procedure (P = 0.005), with greater satisfaction amongst patients receiving spinal anaesthesia and those undergoing scheduled caesarean deliveries for a given QoR score. Quality of communication, interactions with staff and aspects of the postpartum physical environment were significant determinants of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: Maternal satisfaction and obstetric QoR are distinct entities with a weak correlation between the two variables. Urgency of procedure and mode of anaesthesia are significant predictors of the correlation between satisfaction and quality of recovery scores. Many of the drivers of satisfaction were modifiable including quality of communication and a comfortable physical space for postpartum recovery.

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus regimen vs continuous epidural infusion: a retrospective study of motor block and obstetric outcomes using the Robson's Ten Group Classification System.

BACKGROUND: Use of a programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) regimen during labour is associated with several benefits over a continuous epidural infusion (CEI), including reduced local anaesthetic consumption and reduced risk of motor block. We hypothesise that the benefits of a PIEB regimen may vary according to the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS). The aim of this study was to determine if introduction of a PIEB regimen was associated with reduced incidence of motor block. We also wished to examine changes in obstetric outcomes following PIEB introduction across the Robson TGCS. METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study. Data were collected over two three-month periods before and after PIEB introduction. The primary outcome was the incidence of motor block. Maternal and obstetric outcomes across Robson Groups 1-4 were analysed. RESULTS: Introduction of PIEB was associated with reduced incidence of motor block (28.4% (95% CI 25.7% to 31.3%) vs 22.4%, (95% CI 19.9% to 25.2%), difference 5.9% (95% CI 1.0% to 21.1%), P=0.003), with no association with changes in rates of caesarean section, operative vaginal delivery or other obstetric outcomes. Use of a PIEB regimen was associated with reduced incidence of motor block in Robson Group 4a (20.3% (16.0%, 28.0%) vs 12.0%, (7.6%, 16.4%), difference 9.9% (95% CI -17.4% to -2.4%) P=0.009). There were no significant changes in other outcomes assessed across Robson TGCS. CONCLUSION: Introduction of PIEB for maintenance of labour analgesia was associated with reduced incidence of motor block in our institution compared with CEI. Presenting results according to Robson's TGCS in future studies may allow better elucidation of the impact of neuraxial analgesia on maternal and obstetric outcomes.

A randomized controlled trial comparing tapentadol with oxycodone in non-breastfeeding women post elective cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: Tapentadol may allow greater pain relief with reduced "opioid load" compared to oxycodone. Its use has not been studied in the obstetric population. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effect profile of tapentadol with oxycodone in patients who received spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section. The trial was registered with EU Clinical Trials Register with CT number 2016-001621-33. METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Randomized patients (n = 68) received either 50 mg tapentadol or oxycodone 10 mg 12 hourly postoperatively. The primary endpoint was the sum of pain intensity difference over the first 48 hours of treatment (SPID48). Secondary outcomes included time to rescue medications, SPID36, total pain relief (TOTPAR) scores, patient satisfaction scores, sum of total pain relief and pain intensity difference (SPRID) scores, time to rescue medications and side effects experienced. An analysis of covariance model with baseline pain intensity score as a covariate was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint of SPID48 with adjusted mean difference -11.45 (95% CI -35.35, 12.45) p = .34). Oxycodone showed significantly greater SPID36 scores compared to tapentadol with increased time to rescue medication. Side effects experienced were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Tapentadol did not provide superior pain control or improved tolerability compared to oxycodone post cesarean section. Results should be interpreted however with consideration of administration of intrathecal opioids to all patients in this study and debate over the optimal dose of tapentadol for acute pain.

Alcoholic liver disease in the intensive care unit: outcomes and predictors of prognosis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are being referred for critical care support, but limited information is available on their short- and medium-term outcomes. This study aimed to determine mortality rates, identify optimal predictors of prognosis, and determine the appropriate time to apply these predictors in patients with ALD admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients admitted to ICU between 2009 and 2012 with a primary diagnosis of ALD were included. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, risk factors for death determined by logistic regression analysis, and discriminative capacity of models using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Of 170 patients admitted with liver disease, 62 met the inclusion criteria. Survival rates in the ICU, in hospital, and at 6 months were 40.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.7%-49.9%), 35.5% (95% CI, 25.35%-45.65%), and 29% (95% CI, 19.4%-38.6%), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis of day 1 variables produced an equation with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and lactate as significant predictors of mortality; this model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93. A score greater than 12 in this model correlated with a mortality of more than 80% at all time points and was more accurate than any other score examined. CONCLUSION: Patients admitted to ICU with ALD have a very high inhospital mortality. A combination of the established Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and lactate provided the most accurate predictor of outcome on day of admission and at all subsequent time points.