A randomized comparison of ketamine versus methohexital anesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy.

To assess the clinical utility of ketamine as an anesthetic agent for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), based upon recent findings that ketamine may have antidepressant properties. Depressed ECT patients were randomly assigned to receive anesthesia with either ketamine or methohexital. Outcome measures included assessments of depressive severity, cognition, post-anesthesia side effects, and hemodynamics.

Computerized bar code-based blood identification systems and near-miss transfusion episodes and transfusion errors.

Objective: To determine whether the use of a computerized bar code-based blood identification system resulted in a reduction in transfusion errors or near-miss transfusion episodes.

Patients And Methods: Our institution instituted a computerized bar code-based blood identification system in October 2006. After institutional review board approval, we performed a retrospective study of transfusion errors from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2005, and from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2010.

Characteristics of emergency pages using a computer-based anesthesiology paging system in children and adults undergoing procedures at a tertiary care medical center.

Background: In our large academic supervisory practice, attending anesthesiologists concomitantly care for multiple patients. To manage communications within the procedural environment, we use a proprietary electronic computer-based anesthesiology visual paging system. This system can send an emergency page that instantly alerts the attending anesthesiologist and other available personnel that immediate help is needed.