Effects of bispectral index monitoring on recovery from surgical anesthesia in 1,580 inpatients from an academic medical center.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether monitoring Bispectral Index (BIS) would affect recovery parameters in patients undergoing inpatient surgery.

Methods: Anesthesia providers (n = 69) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, a BIS or non-BIS control group. A randomized crossover design was used, with reassignment at monthly intervals for 7 months.

(Dis)embodying gender and sexuality in testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-34. Although post-treatment prognosis is generally very good, the impact on sexuality, gender identity and fertility is amplified in this age group. A Canadian study of men with testicular cancer explores how men (re)consider questions of sexuality and gender post diagnosis and treatment.

Designing and implementing a patient safety program for the OR.

Surgery has a high potential for adverse outcomes. An error involving a retained retractor caused perioperative nurses at the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, to take another look at their department's patient safety practices and risk management procedures. Using another department's successful program as a model, the nurses considered the frameworks of risk management, quality improvement, and OR culture to develop a new patient safety quality improvement program for the OR.

Blending risk management and quality improvement in an anesthesia program.

Risk management (RM) and quality improvement (QI) departments are increasing in value as they work to ensure patient safety, comply with healthcare regulations, and improve patient outcomes. This article describes a model QI program that blends RM and QI principles to improve patient outcomes with fewer resources. This model is easily adaptable to all healthcare work groups.

The effect of bispectral index monitoring on end-tidal gas concentration and recovery duration after outpatient anesthesia.

We performed this study to determine whether instituting monitoring of bispectral index (BIS) throughout an entire operating room would affect end-tidal gas concentration (as a surrogate for anesthetic use) or speed of recovery after outpatient surgery. Primary caregivers (n = 69) were randomly assigned to a BIS or non-BIS Control group with cross-over at 1-mo intervals for 7 mo. Data were obtained in all outpatients except for those having head-and-neck surgery.

Blood administration in perioperative settings.

Blood administration safety is the result of accurate identification of patients to blood products before transfusions, appropriate care and administration of blood products, and rapid recognition and intervention when adverse reactions occur. Health care institutions have an obligation to provide staff members clearly defined, comprehensive policies and procedures related to blood administration. These policies and procedures should be combined with appropriate personnel orientation and periodic training reviews, as well as oversight of blood transfusion practices within the institution.

Surgical instrument manufacturing in southern Germany.

Most of the finer surgical instruments are manufactured in a small town in southern Germany. The creation of these instruments follows a complex process that has evolved since the turn of the century. This article discusses the history of the town's instrument manufacturing and the process the craftsmen follow as observed by the author.