Background: We investigated in older adult non-cardiac surgical patients whether receipt of perioperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications.
Methods: We retrospectively extracted the information for patients with age ≥ 65 years who had inpatient non-cardiac surgery with a duration of ≥ 1 h from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry data acquired at the University of Washington Medical Center. We compared patients who received NSAIDs perioperatively to those who did not receive NSAIDs, on the two composite outcomes: (1) the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications within 30 days of the surgery, and (2) the incidence of combined postoperative gastrointestinal and renal complications, and length of postoperative hospital stay.
Background: Harm reduction strategies can decrease morbidity and mortality associated with substance use. Various barriers limit conversation around substance use between clinicians and patients. Graphic medicine techniques can inform and encourage patient-centered conversations about substance use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: We tested the hypothesis that patients who received methocarbamol postoperatively experience less severe pain and require smaller doses of opioids than those who did not receive methocarbamol.
Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgery involving the musculoskeletal system. Of 9089 patients, 704 received methocarbamol during 48 hours postoperatively, while 8385 did not receive methocarbamol.
Syringe services programs are community-based prevention programs that provide evidence-based, lifesaving services for people who use illicit drugs, including access to syringes, naloxone, fentanyl test strips, infection screening, and linkage to treatment. Historically, syringe services programs did not exist within the Veterans Health Administration owing to many factors, including lack of clarity regarding legality for federal agency-purchased syringes. Three champions at Veterans Affairs facilities in Danville, IL, Orlando, FL, and San Francisco, CA, worked to clarify legal considerations, address barriers, and implement syringe services programs that are integrated in the health care systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: We developed prediction models for postoperative respiratory depression and respiratory complications for 958 patients who were on methadone preoperatively.
Methods: The primary outcome was postoperative respiratory depression as defined by respiratory rate < 10/min, oxygen saturation (SpO) < 90%, or requirement of naloxone for 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcome was the composite of postoperative respiratory complications.