Deficits in information transfer between anaesthesiologist and postanaesthesia care unit staff: an analysis of patient handover.

Background: The immediate postoperative period is important, as the patient recovers from the acute derangements resulting from the surgical insult and anaesthesia. Incomplete or incorrect communication between the anaesthesiologist and the postanaesthesia care unit nurse during the transfer process may lead to dangerous clinical mistakes. The literature examining handovers from operating room to the postanaesthesia care unit is scarce.

Intrathecal fentanyl as adjunct to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for caesarean section.

Objective: To compare the effect of adding fentanyl to intrathecal bupivacaine on the onset, duration and quality of spinal anesthesia and its effect of mother and neonate.

Design: Single blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2003 to June 2004.