#252 Managing Neurologic Stimulators: A Critical Guide for Safe Anesthesia
The podcast explores comprehensive recommendations for managing patients with non-cardiac implantable electrical devices during surgical procedures, emphasizing preoperative assessment, device interaction prevention, and safety protocols. • Types of devices include vagal nerve stimulators, deep brain stimulators, and spinal cord stimulators • Preoperative evaluation is crucial for identifying devices and contacting managing clinicians • Algorithm provided for assessing potential interactions...
29 Huhti 18min
#251 Surgical Fires: The 30% Oxygen Rule
Surgical fires are devastating yet entirely preventable events that continue to occur in operating rooms around the world. This eye-opening episode features biomedical engineer Mark Bruley and anesthesiologist Dr. Jeffrey Feldman, who share decades of expertise investigating and preventing these catastrophic incidents. The conversation reveals why the seemingly simple recommendation to limit open oxygen delivery to 30% is so critical for patient safety. Through forensic investigations and la...
22 Huhti 16min
#250 Sugammadex in Special Populations: What Every Anesthesia Professional Needs to Know
Sugammadex safety considerations span across patient populations with renal impairment, pediatric patients, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, requiring nuanced clinical decision-making based on current evidence and ongoing research. • Sugammadex reversal of moderate blockade is safe and faster than using neostigmine/cisatracurium for patients with renal impairment • Quantitative neuromuscular monitoring is essential to ensure adequate reversal (TOF >90%) • FDA approval exists for...
15 Huhti 18min
#249 Sugammadex Safety: Special Populations, Special Concerns
Discover the critical safety considerations when using Sugammadex, the seemingly "magical" neuromuscular blockade reversal agent that's fundamentally changed anesthesia practice. We delve deep into the science behind this medication and examine its use in three challenging patient populations: those with renal failure, pregnant patients, and pediatric patients. For patients with kidney dysfunction, we explore the fascinating pharmacokinetics of Sugammadex and how its primarily renal excretio...
8 Huhti 16min
#248 Beyond the Mask: An OpenAnesthesia Collaboration on Perioperative Drug Safety
Medication safety remains a cornerstone of anesthesia practice with complex environments and high-stakes decisions requiring vigilant attention to prevent errors. This collaboration between APSF and OpenAnesthesia spotlights critical aspects of perioperative drug safety with practical insights from Dr. Juan Li, a cardiothoracic anesthesia fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. • Perioperative anaphylaxis requires immediate recognition of cardiovascular, respiratory, and cutaneous ma...
1 Huhti 16min
#247 Nudge Your Way to Greener Pediatric Anesthesia
Climate change has arrived in the operating room, and pediatric anesthesiologists are taking action. Dr. Eva Lu-Boettcher, pediatric anesthesiologist and Director of Anesthesia Quality and Safety at the University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital, shares her journey toward sustainable anesthesia after witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change—including her Wisconsin community experiencing the world's worst air quality from wildfires. The healthcare sector contributes a staggering 8%...
25 Maalis 13min
#246 Ditching Nitrous Oxide: The Bike Commuter's Guide to Safe and Sustainable Anesthesia
Dr. Liz Hansen takes us behind the scenes of a remarkable transformation at Seattle Children's Hospital, where pediatric anesthesiologists have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% without compromising patient safety. A lifelong environmentalist and bike commuter, Dr. Hansen was shocked to discover that anesthesia gases contributed to 7% of her hospital's total emissions. This revelation sparked a personal and professional journey to align her clinical practice with her environm...
18 Maalis 18min
#245 Unmasking Medical Misinformation
In our latest episode, we dive headfirst into the growing issue of medical misinformation and its alarming effect on anesthesia patient safety. As patients increasingly turn to social media for health information, the risks of encountering inaccurate content have soared, posing challenges for healthcare professionals. Join us as we explore a recent article by George Tewfik and Raymond Malapero from the February 2025 APSF Newsletter, focusing on how misinformation can threaten patient safety,...
11 Maalis 15min