Decreasing inconsistent alarms notifications: a pragmatic clinical trial in a post-anesthesia care unit.

BACKGROUND: Alarms alert healthcare professionals of deviations from normal/physiologic status. However, alarm fatigue may occur when their high pitch and diversity overwhelm clinicians, possibly leading to alarms being disabled, paused, and/or ignored. We aimed to determine whether a staff educational program on customizing alarm settings of bedside monitors may decrease inconsistent alarms in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). METHODS: This is a prospective, analytic, quantitative, pragmatic, open-label, single-arm study. The outcome was evaluated on PACU admission before (P1) and after (P2) the implementation of the educational program. The heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation alarms were selected for clinical consistency. RESULTS: A total of 260 patients were included and 344 clinical alarms collected, with 270 (78.4%) before (P1), and 74 (21.6%) after (P2) the intervention. Among the 270 alarms in P1, 45.2% were inconsistent (i.e., false alarms), compared to 9.4% of the 74 in P2. Patients with consistent alarms occurred in 30% in the P1 and 27% in the P2 (p = 0.08). Patients with inconsistent alarms occurred in 25.4% in the P1 and in 3.8% in the P2. Ignored consistent alarms were reduced from 21.5% to 2.6% (p = 0.004) in the P2 group. The educational program was a protective factor for the inconsistent clinical alarm (OR = 0.11 [95% CI 0.04-0.3]; p < 0.001) after adjustments for age, gender, and ASA physical status. CONCLUSION: Customizing alarm settings on PACU admission proved to be a protective factor against inconsistent alarm notifications of multiparametric monitors.

Relationship between perioperative semaglutide use and residual gastric content: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing elective upper endoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Semaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used for management of type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. To test the hypothesis that perioperative semaglutide use is associated with delayed gastric emptying and increased residual gastric content (RGC) despite adequate preoperative fasting, we compared the RGC of patients who had and had not taken semaglutide prior to elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The primary outcome was the presence of increased RGC. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective electronic chart review. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy under deep sedation/general anesthesia between July/2021-March/2022. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into two (SG = semaglutide, NSG = non-semaglutide) groups, according to whether they had received semaglutide within 30 days prior to the esophagogastroduodenoscopy. MEASUREMENTS: Increased RGC was defined as any amount of solid content, or > 0.8 mL/Kg (measured from the aspiration/suction canister) of fluid content. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 886 esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed, 404 (33 in the SG and 371 in the NSG) were included in the final analysis. Increased RGC was observed in 27 (6.7%) patients, being 8 (24.2%) in the SG and 19 (5.1%) in the NSG (p < 0.001). Semaglutide use [5.15 (95%CI 1.92-12.92)] and the presence of preoperative digestive symptoms (nausea/vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal distension) [3.56 (95%CI 2.2-5.78)] were associated with increased RGC in the propensity weighted analysis. Conversely, a protective [0.25 (95%CI 0.16-0.39)] effect against increased RGC was observed in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy combined with colonoscopy. In the SG, the mean time of preoperative semaglutide interruption in patients with and without increased RGC was 10.5 ± 5.5 and 10.2 ± 5.6 days, respectively (p = 0.54). There was no relationship between semaglutide use and the amount/volume of RGC found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (p = 0.99). Only one case (in the SG) of pulmonary aspiration was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Semaglutide was associated with increased RGC in patients undergoing elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Digestive symptoms prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy were also predictive of increased RGC.

Comparison of three intraoperative analgesic strategies in laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a retrospective study of immediate postoperative outcomes

Abstract Introduction and objectives Multimodal Analgesia (MMA) has shown promising results in postoperative outcomes across a broad spectrum of surgeries, including bariatric surgery. We compared the analgesic effect immediately after Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery (LBS) of the combined effect of MMA and methadone against two techniques that were based mainly on the use of high-potency medium-acting opioids. Methods Two hundred seventy-one patients were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was postoperative pain score > 3/10 measured by the Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) during the Postanesthetic Care Unit (PACU) stay. The three protocols of intraoperative analgesia were: (P1) sufentanil at anesthetic induction followed by remifentanil infusion; (P2) sufentanil at induction followed by dexmedetomidine infusion; and (P3) remifentanil at induction followed by MMA including dexmedetomidine, magnesium, lidocaine, and methadone. Only P1 and P2 patients received morphine toward the end of surgery. Poisson regression was used to adjust confounding factors and calculate Prevalence Ratio (PR). Results Postoperative VNS > 3 was recorded in 135 (49.81%) patients, of which 93 (68.89%) were subjected to P1, 25 (18.56%) to P2, and 17 (12.59%) to P3. In the final adjusted model, both anesthetic techniques (P3) (PR = 0.10; 95% CI [0.03-0.28]), and (P2) (PR = 0.42%; 95% CI [0.20-0.90]) were associated with lower occurrence of VNS > 3, whereas age range 20-29 was associated to higher occurrence of VNS > 3 (PR = 3.21; 95% CI [1.22-8.44]) in PACU. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) was distributed as follows: (P1) 20.3%, (P2) 31.25% and (P3) 6.77%; (P3 < P1, P2; p< 0.05). Intraoperative hypotension occurred more often in P3 (39%) compared to P2 (20.31%) and P1 (17.46%) (p< 0.05). Conclusion MMA + methadone was associated with higher incidence of intraoperative hypotension and lower incidence of moderate/severe pain in PACU after LBS.

Coronavirus disease-related in-hospital mortality: a cohort study in a private healthcare network in Brazil.

COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality has been reported at 30.7-47.3% in Brazil, however studies assessing exclusively private hospitals are lacking. This is important because of significant differences existing between the Brazilian private and public healthcare systems. We aimed to determine the COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality and associated risk factors in a Brazilian private network from March/2020 to March/2021. Data were extracted from institutional database and analyzed using Cox regression model. Length of hospitalization and death-related factors were modeled based on available independent variables. In total, 38,937 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized of whom 3058 (7.8%) died. Admission to the intensive care unit occurred in 62.5% of cases, and 11.5% and 3.8% required mechanical ventilation (MV) and renal replacement therapy (RRT), respectively. In the adjusted model, age ≥ 61 years-old, comorbidities, and the need for MV and/or RRT were significantly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.05). Obesity and hypertension were associated with the need for MV and RRT (p < 0.05).

An evaluation of the accuracy and self-reported confidence of clinicians in using the ASA-PS Classification System.

OBJECTIVES: The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) is a grading system routinely adopted worldwide by physicians to classify patients' overall health status. Concerns have been raised surrounding the subjectiveness of this system, potentially leading to poor inter-rater agreement/reliability. We hypothesized that physicians are overconfident when assigning ASA-PS scores and that presenting them with the ASA-PS definitions/examples would improve accuracy. We therefore evaluated participants' accuracy and self-reported confidence on the ASA-PS Classification System (1) while assigning ASA-PS according to their baseline knowledge/judgment; and (2) after a single exposure to the ASA-PS definitions/examples. DESIGN: Prospective before-and-after web-based study. PARTICIPANTS: 272 anesthesiologists and 114 non-anesthesiologists. INTERVENTIONS: Participants voluntarily answered a web-based questionnaire consisting of 10 hypothetical cases. They were asked to assign an ASA-PS score and rate their perceived self-confidence level (20-100%) on the accuracy of their assigned score for each case both (1) before and (2) after reviewing the ASA-PS definitions/examples. The correct ASA-PS for each hypothetical case was determined by consensus among investigators. MEASUREMENTS: Participants' accuracy, self-reported confidence, and calibration of confidence on the application of ASA-PS Classification System. Agreement between measures was tested using kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Anesthesiologists had better accuracy than non-anesthesiologists both on initial [6(5-7) vs. 4(3-5) out of 10; p < 0.001] as well as subsequent [7(6-8) vs. 6(4-7); p < 0.001] ASA-PS score assignments. Participants' self-reported confidence was greater than their accuracy for assigned ASA-PS scores (p < 0.001). ASA-PS agreement between anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists was poor (κ < 0.20). Participants' accuracy for hypothetical cases of ASA-PS I, II, and III involving adult patients was overall greater than for ASA-PS IV, V, and III (the latter involving a neonate) for both anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians tend to disagree and be overconfident when assigning ASA-PS scores. A brief consultation of the ASA-PS definitions/examples improves the accuracy for both anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists.

Comparison of three intraoperative analgesic strategies in laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a retrospective study of immediate postoperative outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Multimodal Analgesia (MMA) has shown promising results in postoperative outcomes across a broad spectrum of surgeries, including bariatric surgery. We compared the analgesic effect immediately after Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery (LBS) of the combined effect of MMA and methadone against two techniques that were based mainly on the use of high-potency medium-acting opioids. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-one patients were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was postoperative pain score > 3/10 measured by the Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) during the Postanesthetic Care Unit (PACU) stay. The three protocols of intraoperative analgesia were: (P1) sufentanil at anesthetic induction followed by remifentanil infusion; (P2) sufentanil at induction followed by dexmedetomidine infusion; and (P3) remifentanil at induction followed by MMA including dexmedetomidine, magnesium, lidocaine, and methadone. Only P1 and P2 patients received morphine toward the end of surgery. Poisson regression was used to adjust confounding factors and calculate Prevalence Ratio (PR). RESULTS: Postoperative VNS > 3 was recorded in 135 (49.81%) patients, of which 93 (68.89%) were subjected to P1, 25 (18.56%) to P2, and 17 (12.59%) to P3. In the final adjusted model, both anesthetic techniques (P3) (PR = 0.10; 95% CI [0.03-0.28]), and (P2) (PR = 0.42%; 95% CI [0.20-0.90]) were associated with lower occurrence of VNS > 3, whereas age range 20-29 was associated to higher occurrence of VNS > 3 (PR = 3.21; 95% CI [1.22-8.44]) in PACU. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) was distributed as follows: (P1) 20.3%, (P2) 31.25% and (P3) 6.77%; (P3 < P1, P2; p < 0.05). Intraoperative hypotension occurred more often in P3 (39%) compared to P2 (20.31%) and P1 (17.46%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MMA + methadone was associated with higher incidence of intraoperative hypotension and lower incidence of moderate/severe pain in PACU after LBS.

Comparison of strategies for adherence to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in high-risk surgical patients: a before and after intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of perioperative morbimortality. Despite significant efforts to advance evidence-based practice, prevention rates remain inadequate in many centres. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies aimed at improving adherence to adequate VTE prophylaxis in surgical patients at high risk of VTE. METHOD: Before and after intervention study conducted at a tertiary hospital. Adherence to adequate VTE prophylaxis was compared according to three strategies consecutively implemented from January 2019 to December 2020. A dedicated hospitalist physician alone (strategy A) or in conjunction with a nurse (strategy B) overlooked the postoperative period to ensure adherence and correct inadequacies. Finally, a multidisciplinary team approach (strategy C) focused on promoting adequate VTE prophylaxis across multiple stages of care-from the operating room (ie, preoperative team-based checklist) to collaboration with clinical pharmacists in the postoperative period-was implemented. RESULTS: We analysed 2074 surgical patients: 783 from January to June 2019 (strategy A), 669 from July 2019 to May 2020 (strategy B), and 622 from June to December 2020 (strategy C). VTE prophylaxis adherence rates for strategies (A), (B) and (C) were (median (25th-75th percentile)) 43.29% (31.82-51.69), 50% (42.57-55.80) and 92.31% (91.38-93.51), respectively (p<0.001; C>A=B). There was a significant reduction in non-compliance on all analysed criteria (risk stratification (A (25.5%), B (22%), C (6%)), medical documentation (A (68%), B (55.2%) C (9%)) and medical prescription (A (51.85%), B (48%), C (6.10%)) after implementation of strategy C (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant increase in compliance with adequate dosage, dosing interval and scheduling of the prophylactic regimen was observed. CONCLUSION: Perioperative VTE prophylaxis strategies that relied exclusively on physicians and/or nurses were associated with suboptimal execution and prevention. A multidisciplinary team-based approach that covers multiple stages of patient care significantly increased adherence to adequate VTE prophylaxis in surgical patients at high risk of developing perioperative VTE.

Orotracheal intubation incorporating aerosol-mitigating strategies by anaesthesiologists, intensivists and emergency physicians: a simulation study.

Background: Orotracheal intubation (OTI) can result in aerosolisation leading to an increased risk of infection for healthcare providers, a key concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the OTI time and success rate of two aerosol-mitigating strategies under direct laryngoscopy and videolaryngoscopy performed by anaesthesiologists, intensive care physicians and emergency physicians who were voluntarily recruited for OTI in an airway simulation model. Methodology: The outcomes were successful OTI, degree of airway visualisation and time required for OTI. Not using a stylet during OTI reduced the success rate among non-anaesthesiologists and increased the time required for intubation, regardless of the laryngoscopy device used. Results: Success rates were similar among physicians from different specialties during OTI using videolaryngoscopy with a stylet. The time required for successful OTI by intensive care and emergency physicians using videolaryngoscopy with a stylet was longer compared with anaesthesiologists using the same technique. Videolaryngoscopy increased the time required for OTI among intensive care physicians compared with direct laryngoscopy. The aerosol-mitigating strategy under direct laryngoscopy with stylet did not increase the time required for intubation, nor did it interfere with OTI success, regardless of the specialty of the performing physician. Conclusions: The use of a stylet within the endotracheal tube, especially for non-anaesthesiologists, had an impact on OTI success rates and decreased procedural time.

Impact of educational strategies on pain control quality indicators at a tertiary hospital / Impacto de estratégias educativas nos indicadores de qualidade do controle de dor em um hospital de alta complexidade

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain management by the multidisciplinary team remains a challenge in the health field. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of educational strategies for the implementation of pain as the fifth vital sign and its management in a highly complex hospital. METHODS: An interventional non-controlled study analyzed three different sequential educational processes: Pain training week (PW), educational visits by the pain nurse to guide professionals in relation to pain management and e-learning. The impact of the educational strategy was assessed through pain as the 5th vital sign and adequate pain management. RESULTS: For pain as the 5th vital sign, the audit previous to PW showed a median of compliance of 46.4% at the inpatient unit, 53.1% at the maternity ward and 16.7% at the emergency room. In the evaluations after PW, the median of compliance at the inpatient unit was 78.4%, at the maternity ward 79.62% and at the emergency room 32.9% (p<0.05). There was an improvement in pain management in all hospital sectors after subsequent training (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The implementation of a continuing education program has improved pain care assistance and increased compliance to the institutional pain protocol.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O manejo da dor pela equipe multidisciplinar continua como um desafio na saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto de estratégias educacionais para efetivação da dor como 5º sinal vital e seu gerenciamento em um hospital de alta complexidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo não controlado de intervenção por meio de análise de três diferentes estratégias educativas sequenciais: Semana de treinamentos sobre Dor (SD), visitas educacionais pelo enfermeiro da dor para orientar os profissionais em relação à dor e treinamento eletrônico virtual de revisão. A análise do impacto das estratégias educativas foi realizada por meio de indicadores em relação à dor como 5º sinal vital e tratamento adequado da dor. RESULTADOS: Na avaliação da dor como 5° sinal vital, a auditoria prévia à SD mostrou mediana de conformidade de 46,4% na unidade de internação, de 53,1% na maternidade e de 16,7% no Pronto Socorro. Nas avaliações após a SD, a mediana de conformidade na unidade de internação foi de 78,4%, na maternidade de 79,62% e no pronto atendimento de 32,9% (p<0,05). Houve melhora no tratamento da dor em todos os setores após avaliações subsequentes aos treinamentos (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A implantação de um programa de educação continuada se mostrou efetivo em promover melhora na assistência no cuidado ao paciente com dor e dos resultados dos indicadores assistenciais em relação ao protocolo de dor institucional.