Journal Table of Contents
Columns
Imagining in Time
Quality Review in Anesthesia: Then, now, and the future
William Clayton Petty, MD
Rita M. Rupp, RN, MA
Sandra K. Tunajek, CRNA, DNP
Print version: 2006;74:347-351.
Key words: Anesthesia issues, malpractice, medical errors, quality assurance, risk management.
Books and Multimedia of Interest
Ambulatory Anesthesia: The Requisites in Anesthesiology
Reviewer: Greg Bozimowski, CRNA, MS
Print version: 2006;74:356.
State of the Science Oral and Poster Sessions: Part 1
Print version: 2006;74:385-404.
Features
Brief laboratory report: Surgical drape flammability
Jessica Goldberg, CRNA, MS
Fires in the operating room continue to present a hazard to patients, at times with catastrophic and debilitating results. Recent data from closed claim files reveal oxygen, electrosurgical unit, and surgical drapes are common components of the fire triangle in the operating room. The purpose of this study was to test the flammability of different surgical drape materials and to determine the time to ignition using a bipolar electrosurgical unit device in 21%, 35%, and 100% oxygen concentrations.
Print version: 2006;74:352-354.
Key words: Electrosurgical unit, flammability, operating room, surgical drapes.
New drug sugammadex: A selective relaxant binding agent
Mark Welliver, CRNA, MS
Sugammadex is the first introduction of a new class of drugs called selective relaxant binding agents that encapsulate aminosteroid nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, terminating their effects. In this review article, the author discusses the animal studies and clinical trials of sugammadex and elaborates on sugammadex encapsulation.
Print version: 2006;74:357-363
Key words: Cyclodextrin, encapsulation, modified cyclodextrin, selective relaxant binding agents, sugammadex.
Nurse anesthetists as university faculty
Alfred E. Lupien, CRNA, PhD
Marlene M. Rosenkoetter, RN, PhD, FAAN
As university faculty, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are expected to meet the same obligations as other members of the academy. The authors conclude that increasing the percentage of doctorally prepared faculty and the amount of time allocated to research and scholarship are essential for full integration of nurse anesthetists into the university and to continue the development of nurse anesthesia's specialty knowledge.
Print version: 2006;74:366-372.
Key words: Faculty productivity, nurse anesthesia education, nurse anesthesia faculty.
Vocal cord dysfunction: A case report
LCDR Erik C. Cline, CRNA, MSN, NC, USN
LCDR Roger Davis, CRNA, MSN, NC, USN
CDR Joseph F. Burkard, CRNA, DNSc, NC, USN
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a respiratory condition characterized by the paradoxical closure of the vocal cords. In this case report, the authors describe a 30-year-old woman with known VCD who underwent local anesthesia with intravenous sedation for perianal skin tag removal. Postoperatively, the patient experienced respiratory distress, prompting interventions and investigation. A review of the literature revealed limited information on VDC, and no anesthesia literature was found regarding this entity.
Print version: 2006;74:375-378.
Key words: Airflow, airway limitation, asthma, vocal cord.
AANA Journal Course Part 4
Update for nurse anesthetists --
Itching, the "little" big problem as an orphan symptom
Matthew Toomey, RN, BSN
Chuck Biddle, CRNA, PhD
The phenomenon of itching has received surprisingly little scientific scrutiny despite its commonality – hence its designation as a kind of neglected, "orphan symptom." Recent research and clinical understanding has shed light on itching, helping to illuminate its previously shaded landscape. This course reviews the nature of itching, its physiology, major triggers of particular interest to anesthetists (especially when using neuraxial agents), and interventions directed at its resolution.
Print version: 2006;74:279-284.
Key words: Complications, neuraxial opiates, pruritis.