Human Factors Applied to Perioperative Process Improvement.

This article discusses some of the major theories of the science of human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) in relation to perioperative medicine, with a focus on safety and errors within these systems. The discussion begins with human limitations based in cognition, decision making, stress, and fatigue. Given these limitations, the importance of measuring human performance is discussed.

Effect of preoperative intravenous methocarbamol and intravenous acetaminophen on opioid use after primary total hip and knee replacement.

Between 2010 and 2011, a perioperative pain protocol for primary total hip and knee replacement at one Florida medical center replaced preoperative oral analgesics with intravenous methocarbamol and intravenous acetaminophen. This is a retrospective cohort study of 300 patients, with 150 patients using the new pain protocol and 150 patients using a 2008 pain protocol that did not include these medications. The 2 cohorts were similar in patient gender, age, and body mass index.

Effects of milrinone versus epinephrine on left ventricular relaxation after cardiopulmonary bypass following myocardial revascularization: assessment by color m-mode and tissue Doppler.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the left ventricular lusitropic effects of epinephrine versus milrinone after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design: Prospective randomized study.

Setting: Single institution, university teaching hospital.