Acute-Onset Quadriparesis After Placement of Thoracic Epidural: A Case Report.

Blunt chest trauma and the treatment of associated pain can lead to impaired respiratory drive and abnormal pulmonary mechanics, in turn resulting in significant respiratory system complications. These can include pneumonia, hypoxia, atelectasis, and a prolonged need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Epidural analgesia can decrease the need for systemic pain control and may improve cooperation with pulmonary rehabilitation exercises.

One-Year Experience with the Institution of a Critical Airway Team at an Academic Medical Center.

Background: At our institution, there were a number of adverse patient events related to an unstable airway that led to the formation of a designated critical airway response team (CAT). It was hoped that this would improve patient outcomes in such matters.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the creation of the CAT.