Safety of enzymatic debridement in extensive burns larger than 15% total body surface area.

OBJECTIVES: Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement has emerged as an alternative to surgical eschar removal. Indications include partial thickness, mixed pattern, and full-thickness burns. Enzymatic debridement has been approved by the European Medicines Agency for treating burn wounds affecting <15% total body surface area (TBSA). Data and evidence for the treatment of areas >15% TBSA in one session is scarce. The aim of this retrospective study was to retrospectively analyze off-label use of enzymatic debridement in a single burn center for large TBSA burns. METHODS: Between 01/2017 and 12/2018, 59 patients with partial- to full-thickness burns underwent enzymatic debridement in a single center study. Patients were categorized into two groups: the regular use group with a treated area less than 15% TBSA and the off-label group (OG) with larger TBSA debrided in one session. Treatment was evaluated for systemic inflammatory reaction, bleeding, hemodynamic instability and electrolyte shifts. RESULTS: In total, 49 patients were treated in the regular use group with a median application area of 6% (IQR 2.5-9.5) and 10 patients were treated in the off-label group with a median application area of 18% (IQR 15-19) TBSA. We found no significant differences regarding blood pressure, body temperature or hemodynamic stability during and after enzymatic debridement. No treatment-related serious adverse events were observed in either group. Catecholamine use was similar in both groups. No differences in leukocyte counts, CRP, PCT and lactate prior to application and during the following three days were observed. Sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate levels did not differ. We found no evidence of an electrolyte shift. Survival was 49 of 49 patients (100%) in the RG and 7 of 10 patients (70%) in the OG (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Enzymatic debridement did not result in any expected or unexpected side effects in the patient groups investigated. These preliminary results indicate the potential safety of bromelain-based enzymatic debridementin the treatment of burns greater than 15% TBSA.

Quality of safety reporting for complementary and alternative therapies for dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the quality of safety reporting in complementary and alternative therapies randomized controlled trials for primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Methodologic systematic review of randomized controlled trials published until August 25, 2019 without language restrictions. The adequacies of safety reporting are reported as frequencies and percentages and their predictors were analyzed by multiple least-squares and logistic regressions. RESULTS: Thirty-nine trials were included in this review. Of 39 trials, 56% (22/39) reported that no harms were observed. Of the predictor variables, the percentage of words reporting safety in the body section of text increased significantly with sample sizes (effect size 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.26, p = .041). CONCLUSIONS: No harms of included trials were well-reported in complementary and alternative therapy journals. These findings will serve as sound guidance to assess the quality of safety reporting in further complementary and alternative therapies for primary dysmenorrhea.

Improving the safety of high-concentration potassium chloride injection.

Objectives: Serious adverse effects, including arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, result from rapid intravenous high concentration of potassium chloride (KCl). We aimed to eliminate prescription of undiluted KCl and encourage dilution of KCl to 400 mEq/L and 40 mEq/L in the intensive care units (ICUs) and general and outpatient departments, respectively. Methods: Before the first intervention, we collected data regarding high-concentration KCl and interviewed representatives of physicians prescribing high-concentration KCl. Based on the guidelines in other countries on safely used concentrations of KCl (400 mEq/L), we negotiated with physicians to dilute KCl below 400 mEq/L. In the first intervention, we made rules based on surveys above. In the second intervention, we revised the rules based on opinions from physicians and pharmacists and investigated the change in the number of prescriptions of KCl concentration in each department. Continuing efforts with the safety manager ensured compliance of the rules by physicians and nurses in all departments. Results: After the first and second interventions, prescriptions for undiluted KCl in ICUs and general wards were eliminated (median=0). Prescriptions for <400 mEq/L KCl increased to 110 (median) after the first intervention and to 137 (median) after the second. In the general ward, 7 months after the first intervention, prescriptions for <400 mEq/L KCl had not increased. Compliance with our rules was high, and more than 72% of physicians and nurses were aware of the rules. Conclusions: The rules for administration of high-dose KCl successfully eliminated prescription of undiluted KCl, which was maintained using two plan-do-study-act cycles. Our intervention process could be useful in countries where prediluted formulations are unavailable or where prescriptions are not matched and undiluted ampules are used.

Adjuvant Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Enhances Healing of Nonischemic Diabetic Foot Ulcers Compared With Standard Wound Care Alone.

Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have produced conflicting results about the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in improving the healing rate for chronic diabetic foot wounds. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of systemic HBOT in healing of chronic nonischemic diabetic foot ulcer. Thirty adult patients having Wagner's grade 2 or 3 chronic diabetic foot ulcers, in whom the response to 30 days of standard wound care was not favorable, were prospectively randomized to have either HBOT (20-40 sessions) plus conventional treatment (n = 15) or conventional treatment alone (n = 15). Ischemic wounds and patients with contraindications to systemic HBOT were excluded. The primary end point was complete healing of the target ulcer. Secondary endpoints included the following: rate of ulcer healing at the end of treatment period and at 4 and 8 weeks thereafter as well as rate of amputation. A significantly greater percentage of HBOT-treated wounds (33.3%, 5/15) achieved complete closure than conventional therapy-treated wounds (0%, 0/15; P = .014) at the end of treatment. This significant difference was maintained throughout the 8 weeks of follow-up. Complications frequency was nonsignificantly different between both groups. Our study showed that HBOT plus conventional therapy appears as safe as and probably more effective than conventional therapy alone for the healing of chronic nonischemic diabetic foot wounds. Larger studies are required to confirm its specific indications.

Effectiveness and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in a real-life French multicenter adult cohort.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab is the first biologic available to treat atopic dermatitis (AD). Its effectiveness and safety were demonstrated in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in adults with AD in a real-life French multicenter retrospective cohort. METHODS: We included patients treated during March 2017-April 2018. Efficacy outcomes, including Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores, were collected at baseline and 3 months when available. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded at follow-up. RESULTS: We included 241 patients. The median ± interquartile range (IQR) follow-up time was 3.8 ± 3.7 months. A ≥75% improvement in SCORAD was achieved in 27 of 163 (16.6%) patients, and a ≥75% improvement in EASI was achieved in 40 of 82 (48.8%) patients. The median SCORAD and EASI scores at 3 months were significantly lower than those at baseline (SCORAD ± IQR, 25 ± 21 vs 56 ± 27.4, P < 10-9 and EASI ± IQR, 4.1 ± 6.8 vs 17.9 ± 15.4, P < 10-9, respectively). Conjunctivitis was reported in 84 of 241 (38.2%) patients. The proportion with eosinophilia (>500 cells/mm3) during follow-up (57%) was higher than that at baseline (33.7%) (n = 172, P < 10-6). Dupilumab was stopped in 42 cases; 27 patients stopped because of AEs. LIMITATIONS: No control group, missing data. CONCLUSION: This real-life study demonstrated a similar dupilumab effectiveness as that seen in clinical trials, but it also revealed a higher frequency of conjunctivitis and eosinophilia.

Effectiveness of nursing rounds in the Intensive Care Unit on workplace learning.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the implementation of a regular Nursing Round as an educational strategy for workplace learning in an intensive care unit with a single room environment. RESEARCH DESIGN: A multiple methods design was used. Fifty-four Nursing Rounds were observed and nurses (n = 40) completed bespoke evaluative surveys. Structured observational data and open-ended survey responses were submitted to content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey findings. RESULTS: Nursing Rounds involved a diverse range of participants, most frequently nurses. The content most frequently discussed included empirical clinical issues where nurses decided on nursing care actions to address these issues. The most frequently observed outcome of Nursing Rounds was knowledge translation. Nursing Rounds were perceived to positively influence application of evidence in practise, identification of areas for practise improvement and ability to communicate clinical information. Two categories emerged from analysis of open-ended survey questions; (1) 'Positive learning environment', where nurses described Nursing Rounds as a social learning experience; and (2) 'Impediments to Nursing Rounds', including difficulty attending Nursing Rounds due to competing priorities. CONCLUSION: Nursing Rounds enabled evidence-based learning that enhanced inter-disciplinary collaboration. Further investigation may be required to understand how to enable nurses to attend more frequently, and generate a more holistic, evidence-based discussion.

How Do Hospitalized Adolescents Feel Safe? A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The feeling of safety makes an important contribution to the sense of well-being and quality of care for hospitalized adolescents, who are at a higher risk of feeling unsafe. Feeling unsafe during hospitalization may have a negative impact on recovery. Nurses must be sensitive to the possibility that patients feel unsafe, even in the absence of obvious direct physical threat. PURPOSE: This study explores the experiences of hospitalized adolescents to obtain an understanding of psychological safety. METHODS: A qualitative study using unstructured interviews was conducted to explore the sense of psychological safety of hospitalized adolescents aged 12-18 years and registered in a general medical or surgical pediatric unit. Purposive sampling was used to recruit new qualified participants until data saturation was reached (N = 16). RESULTS: Psychological safety is reflected by the four themes of receiving comprehensive support, protection of human dignity, relaxing environment, and attempts to adapt. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized adolescents stated that healthcare services should provide comprehensive support in a relaxing environment that allows them to retain their human dignity and that elicits feelings of psychological safety.

Safety of an accelerated build-up phase with pollen allergoids: a retrospective study

No disponible

Factors associated with medication administration errors and why nurses fail to report them.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety is a significant challenge facing healthcare systems. The administration of medication is pivotal to patient safety, and errors in drug administration are associated with mortality and morbidity. In this study, we assessed the factors contributing to the occurrence and reporting of medication errors from the nurse's perspective. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we distributed a validated questionnaire to 367 nurses at a large public hospital and obtained a response rate of 73.4%. The questionnaire comprised 65 questions, including 29 on the causes of medication errors, 16 on the reasons why medication errors are not reported and 20 that estimated the percentages of the different medication errors actually reported. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the anonymity and confidentiality of participants' information were preserved throughout the process. This study received institutional review board approval. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The main factors associated with medication errors by nurses were related to medication packaging, nurse-physician communication, pharmacy processes, nurse staffing and transcribing issues. The main barriers to the reporting of errors by nurses were related to the administrative response, fear of reporting and disagreements regarding the definitions of errors. CONCLUSION: Medication errors by nurses are related to medication packaging, poor communication, unclear medication orders, workload and staff rotation. To prevent medication errors, teamwork must be improved. All healthcare settings should emphasise awareness of the culture of safety, provide support and guidance to nurses and improve communication skills. We also recommend the use of integrated health informatics, including computerised drug administration systems. The limitations of this study include the potential for nonresponse bias associated with the sampling method. Further research is required to explore the complex and multidimensional causes of medication errors and review the responses of nurses regarding the errors reported.

Patient safety incident reports related to traditional Japanese Kampo medicines: medication errors and adverse drug events in a university hospital for a ten-year period.

BACKGROUND: Kampo medicine is traditional Japanese medicine, which originated in ancient traditional Chinese medicine, but was introduced and developed uniquely in Japan. Today, Kampo medicines are integrated into the Japanese national health care system. Incident reporting systems are currently being widely used to collect information about patient safety incidents that occur in hospitals. However, no investigations have been conducted regarding patient safety incident reports related to Kampo medicines. The aim of this study was to survey and analyse incident reports related to Kampo medicines in a Japanese university hospital to improve future patient safety. METHODS: We selected incident reports related to Kampo medicines filed in Toyama University Hospital from May 2007 to April 2017, and investigated them in terms of medication errors and adverse drug events. RESULTS: Out of 21,324 total incident reports filed in the 10-year survey period, we discovered 108 Kampo medicine-related incident reports. However, five cases were redundantly reported; thus, the number of actual incidents was 103. Of those, 99 incidents were classified as medication errors (77 administration errors, 15 dispensing errors, and 7 prescribing errors), and four were adverse drug events, namely Kampo medicine-induced interstitial pneumonia. The Kampo medicine (crude drug) that was thought to induce interstitial pneumonia in all four cases was Scutellariae Radix, which is consistent with past reports. According to the incident severity classification system recommended by the National University Hospital Council of Japan, of the 99 medication errors, 10 incidents were classified as level 0 (an error occurred, but the patient was not affected) and 89 incidents were level 1 (an error occurred that affected the patient, but did not cause harm). Of the four adverse drug events, two incidents were classified as level 2 (patient was transiently harmed, but required no treatment), and two incidents were level 3b (patient was transiently harmed and required substantial treatment). CONCLUSIONS: There are many patient safety issues related to Kampo medicines. Patient safety awareness should be raised to prevent medication errors, especially administration errors, and adverse drug events in Kampo medicine.

Severity and workload related to adverse events in the ICU.

OBJECTIVE:: To analyze whether an increase in patient severity and nursing workload are correlated to a greater incidence of adverse events (AEs) in critical patients. METHOD:: A prospective single cohort study was performed on a sample of 138 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). RESULTS:: A total of 166 AEs, occurred, affecting 50.7% of the patients. Increased patient severity presented a direct relationship to the probability of AEs occurring. However, nursing workload did not present a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of AEs. CONCLUSION:: The results cast light on the importance of using evaluation tools by the nursing personnel in order to optimize their daily activities and focus on patient safety. OBJETIVO:: Analisar se o aumento da gravidade do paciente e a carga de trabalho de enfermagem está relacionado à maior incidência de Eventos Adversos (EAs) em pacientes críticos. MÉTODO:: Estudo de coorte única, prospectivo, com amostra de 138 pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). RESULTADOS:: Ao todo, foram evidenciados 166 EAs, que acometeram 50,7% dos pacientes. O aumento da gravidade do paciente apresentou relação direta com a chance de ocorrência de EAs. Entretanto, a carga de trabalho de enfermagem não apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, na ocorrência de EAs. CONCLUSÃO:: Os resultados permitem refletir acerca da importância da equipe de enfermagem, em utilizar instrumentos de avaliação, com o objetivo de melhorar e planejar suas ações diárias, com foco na segurança do paciente.

Severity and workload related to adverse events in the ICU / Gravedad y carga de trabajo relacionadas a eventos adversos en UTI / Gravidade e carga de trabalho relacionadas a eventos adversos em UTI

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether an increase in patient severity and nursing workload are correlated to a greater incidence of adverse events (AEs) in critical patients. Method: A prospective single cohort study was performed on a sample of 138 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). Results: A total of 166 AEs, occurred, affecting 50.7% of the patients. Increased patient severity presented a direct relationship to the probability of AEs occurring. However, nursing workload did not present a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of AEs. Conclusion: The results cast light on the importance of using evaluation tools by the nursing personnel in order to optimize their daily activities and focus on patient safety.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar si el aumento de la gravedad del paciente y la carga de trabajo de enfermería está relacionada con mayor incidencia de Eventos Adversos (EAs) en pacientes críticos. Método: Estudio de cohorte única, prospectivo, con muestra de 138 pacientes internados en una Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Resultados: En total, fueron evidenciados 166 EAs, incidiendo sobre 50,7% de los pacientes. El aumento de la gravedad del paciente mostró relación directa con la posibilidad de ocurrencia de EAs. Sin embargo, la carga de trabajo de enfermería no demostró relación estadísticamente significativa en la ocurrencia de EAs. Conclusión: Los resultados permiten reflexionar sobre la importancia del equipo de enfermería, en utilizar instrumentos de evaluación, con el objeto de mejorar y planificar sus acciones diarias, enfocándose en la seguridad del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar se o aumento da gravidade do paciente e a carga de trabalho de enfermagem está relacionado à maior incidência de Eventos Adversos (EAs) em pacientes críticos. Método: Estudo de coorte única, prospectivo, com amostra de 138 pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Resultados: Ao todo, foram evidenciados 166 EAs, que acometeram 50,7% dos pacientes. O aumento da gravidade do paciente apresentou relação direta com a chance de ocorrência de EAs. Entretanto, a carga de trabalho de enfermagem não apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, na ocorrência de EAs. Conclusão: Os resultados permitem refletir acerca da importância da equipe de enfermagem, em utilizar instrumentos de avaliação, com o objetivo de melhorar e planejar suas ações diárias, com foco na segurança do paciente.

Seguridad del paciente en la administración de antibióticos: evaluación del riesgo / Patient safety in antibiotics administration: risk assessment

Objetivo. Analizar el nivel de riesgo en la preparación y administración de los antibióticos de uso frecuente en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos utilizando una matriz de riesgo. Material y método. Se realizó un análisis de situación y una revisión bibliográfica en bases de datos, protocolos y guías de buenas prácticas sobre terapia intravenosa, medicamentos y vías de administración. Se llevó a cabo una selección de los antibióticos más utilizados en nuestra unidad registrados en el programa ENVIN-HELICS desde el 1 de abril al 30 de junio del 2015. Los pacientes que recibieron tratamiento antimicrobiano en este periodo fueron 257. Se evaluaron 26 antibióticos. Variables a estudio: evaluación del riesgo de cada antibiótico mediante la escala Risk Assessment Tools, de la National Patient Safety Agency, incluyendo pH, osmolaridad, tipo de catéter recomendado para su administración y compatibilidad e incompatibilidad con el resto de los antibióticos estudiados. Resultados. El 65,3% de los antibióticos tuvieron más de 3 factores de riesgo representados con una franja amarilla, y el 34,7% entre 0 y 2 factores de riesgo (franja verde.) No hubo ningún antibiótico con 6 o más factores de riesgo (franja roja). La mayoría de los fármacos necesitaron reconstitución, dilución adicional y la utilización de parte del vial para administrar la dosis prescrita. Conclusión. Más de la mitad de los antibióticos estudiados son de riesgo moderado, por lo que se deberían adoptar medidas para disminuirlo. La matriz de riesgo es una herramienta útil para la evaluación y detección de los puntos débiles asociados a la preparación y administración de antibióticos intravenosos (AU)

Objective. To determine the level of risk in the preparation and administration of antibiotics frequently used in the Intensive Care Unit using a risk matrix. Material and method. A study was conducted using situation analysis and literature review of databases, protocols and good practice guidelines on intravenous therapy, drugs, and their administration routes. The most used antibiotics in the ICU registered in the ENVIN-HELICS program from 1 April to 30 June 2015 were selected. In this period, 257 patients received antimicrobial treatment and 26 antibiotics were evaluated. Variables studied: A risk assessment of each antibiotic using the scale Risk Assessment Tool, of the National Patient Safety Agency, as well as pH, osmolarity, type of catheter recommended for administration, and compatibility and incompatibility with other antibiotics studied. Results. Almost two-thirds (65.3%) of antibiotics had more than 3 risk factors (represented by a yellow stripe), with the remaining 34.7% of antibiotics having between 0 and 2 risk factors (represented by a green stripe). There were no antibiotics with 6 or more risk factors (represented by a red stripe). Most drugs needed reconstitution, additional dilution, and the use of part of the vial to administer the prescribed dose. Conclusion. More than half of the antibiotics studied had a moderate risk level; thus measures should be adopted in order to reduce it. The risk matrix is a useful tool for the assessment and detection of weaknesses associated with the preparation and administration of intravenous antibiotics (AU)

Salve and Burdock: A Safe, Effective Amish Remedy for Treatment of Traumatic Wounds?

BACKGROUND: Amish patients show a demonstrated preference for traditional, herbal remedies over modern medical interventions such as skin grafting. One such remedy is a mixture of Burn & Wound Ointment (B & W Ointment; Holistic Acres, LLC; Newcomerstown, Ohio) and steeped burdock leaves. Although both have demonstrated some antimicrobial and wound healing properties, burdock and/or the combination of B & W Ointment and burdock has never been studied to determine its purported ability to reduce pain, prevent infection, and accelerate wound healing. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 6 Amish patients treated with salve and burdock leaves instead of skin grafting following complex traumatic wounds to determine whether the traditional treatment incurred any patient harm. RESULTS: The time of wound epithelialization and healing complications were noted, among other data points. Time to full epithelialization ranged from 1 to 7 months. Time to full wound healing was proportional to wound size. CONCLUSIONS: Although the treatment presented here is unconventional, it did not cause harm to the patients studied.

Outcomes of an accelerated care pathway for pediatric blunt solid organ injuries in a public healthcare system.

PURPOSE: An accelerated clinical care pathway for solid organ abdominal injuries was implemented at a level one pediatric trauma center. The impact on resource utilization and demonstration of protocol safety was assessed. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively on patients admitted with blunt abdominal solid organ injuries from 2012 to 2015. Patients were subdivided into pre- and post-protocol groups. Length of hospital stay (LOS) and failure of non-operative treatment were the primary outcomes of interest. RESULTS: 138 patients with solid organ injury were studied: 73 pre- (2012-2014) and 65 post-protocol (2014-2015). There were no significant differences in age, gender, injury severity score (ISS), injury grade, or mechanism (p>0.05). LOS was shorter post-protocol (mean 5.6 vs. 3.4days; median 5 .0 vs. 3.0days; p=0.0002), resulting in average savings of $5966 per patient. Patients in the protocol group mobilized faster (p<0.0001) and experienced fewer blood draws (p=0.02). On multivariate analysis, protocol group (p<0.001) and ISS (p<0.001) were independently associated with LOS. There were no differences between groups in the need for operation, embolization, or transfusion. CONCLUSION: An accelerated care pathway is safe and effective in the management of pediatric solid organ injuries with early mobilization, less blood draws, and decreased LOS without significant morbidity and mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, cost effectiveness, level III.

Parotidectomy under sedation and locoregional anesthesia with monitoring of brain activity.

BACKGROUND: Parotidectomy is usually performed while the patient is under general anesthesia, however, sedation with locoregional anesthesia could be an alternative. METHODS: Fifteen adult patients with parotid tumors of the superficial lobe were included in this study. Anesthetic procedure consisted of sedation associated with cervical plexus and auriculotemporal nerve block. Sedation was managed based on the bispectral index. RESULTS: Superficial parotidectomies were performed in 13 patients, and combined partial resections were performed in 2 patients. The mean operative time was 118.2 ± 16.4 minutes. Conversion to general anesthesia was necessary in only 1 patient. Ten surgeries were performed on an outpatient basis. Definitive facial paralysis occurred in 1 patient. All patients reported total satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, parotidectomy under sedation plus locoregional anesthesia is feasible and safe. The careful selection of patients and the close collaboration with an anesthesiologist is the key to a successful procedure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 744-747, 2017.

The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of hypnotic techniques in somatic medicine, known as medical hypnosis, have not been supported to date by adequate scientific evidence. METHODS: We systematically reviewed meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of medical hypnosis. Relevant publications (January 2005 to June 2015) were sought in the Cochrane databases CDSR and DARE, and in PubMed. Meta-analyses involving at least 400 patients were included in the present analysis. Their methodological quality was assessed with AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). An additional search was carried out in the CENTRAL and PubMed databases for RCTs of waking suggestion (therapeutic suggestion without formal trance induction) in somatic medicine. RESULTS: Out of the 391 publications retrieved, five were reports of metaanalyses that met our inclusion criteria. One of these meta-analyses was of high methodological quality; three were of moderate quality, and one was of poor quality. Hypnosis was superior to controls with respect to the reduction of pain and emotional stress during medical interventions (34 RCTs, 2597 patients) as well as the reduction of irritable bowel symptoms (8 RCTs, 464 patients). Two meta-analyses revealed no differences between hypnosis and control treatment with respect to the side effects and safety of treatment. The effect size of hypnosis on emotional stress during medical interventions was low in one meta-analysis, moderate in one, and high in one. The effect size on pain during medical interventions was low. Five RCTs indicated that waking suggestion is effective in medical procedures. CONCLUSION: Medical hypnosis is a safe and effective complementary technique for use in medical procedures and in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Waking suggestions can be a component of effective doctor-patient communication in routine clinical situations.