Anesthesia Patient Safety Podcast

Unlock the potential to save lives with our exciting discussion on the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation's Technology Education Initiative course. Featuring Dr. Michael Kazior, an esteemed anesthesiologist and intensivist, we spotlight the crucial skills of manual external defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing. Dr. Kazior shares his personal journey and highlights the stark educational...

Can we significantly reduce pediatric medication errors in anesthesia care? This podcast episode explores the urgent need to address medication errors in pediatric anesthesia, highlighting effective strategies to improve patient safety. We discuss the implementation of tools such as the Anesthesia Medication Template, pre-filled syringes, and barcode scanning systems, as well as insights from expe...

Unlock the secrets of preventing pediatric perioperative medication errors with insights from our esteemed guests, Eva Lu-Boettcher and Rahul Koka. Pediatric patients face unique challenges due to variations in body weight and dosing calculations, making them particularly vulnerable to medication errors. Join us as we explore the discrepancies between self-reported and observed error rates and gai...

What if a simple change in routine could save lives in the operating room? Join us as we explore this possibility with Jonathan Charnin, who shares his expertise and passion for improving hand hygiene practices in anesthesia. Hand hygiene may seem like a small detail, but it plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of pathogens and reducing surgical site infections. We'll unravel the com...

Join us on a fascinating exploration with Alli Bechtel, a dedicated anesthesiologist and the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast host, who reveals the surprising journey from the United States to New Zealand in pursuit of a better work-life balance. Bechtel shares her unique insights into the supportive healthcare environment she found across the globe and the role of teamwork in ensuring patient sa...

What does it take to stay prepared for a rare but potentially life-threatening anesthesia complication like malignant hyperthermia (MH)? Join us as Dr. Henry Rosenberg, a trailblazer in the field and founder of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States, shares his insights on the evolution of MH diagnosis and management. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of the t...

Unlock the future of perioperative medicine with insights into remimazolam, the cutting-edge benzodiazepine poised to transform anesthesia practices. We uncover the remarkable features of remimazolam, from its rapid onset and short duration to its unique reversibility and minimal impact on cardiac and respiratory systems. Discover why this novel sedative is gaining traction for neurosurgery and ne...

What happens when a defective CO2 absorbent canister leads to ventilation failure during surgery? Our latest episode uncovers the hidden risks of hypoventilation and leaks in anesthesia machines following intra-procedure CO2 canister replacement. We discuss the critical role of manufacturers in providing warnings about potential equipment failures, the importance of backup systems, and the environ...

What if a simple component replacement could jeopardize patient safety during surgery? Join us as we discuss critical anesthesia safety concerns with our special guest, Dr. Yuki Kuruma, an experienced anesthetist from Japan's Saiseikai Matsusaka General Hospital. Kuruma sheds light on the potential dangers of replacing CO2 absorbent canisters and the risk of hypoventilation caused by defectiv...

What impact do communication failures have on anesthesia patient safety, particularly for those with limited English proficiency? Join us as we welcome anesthesiology resident, Dr. Yasuko Mano, who sheds light on this critical issue. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Mano reveals how language barriers can lead to less patient-centered care and increased risks during high-pressure...

What if the future of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) could be shorter, safer, and more effective? Uncover the latest insights into drug-eluting stents and how they are transforming how we think about dual-antiplatelet therapy. Join us as we examine the game-changing recommendations from top cardiology societies, which suggest that newer-generation stents can significantly reduce the duration of...

What if the future of cardiac care meant shorter duration of dual antiplatelet therapy without compromising safety? Join us as we explore this possibility with Dr. Joseph Szokol, a leading expert in clinical anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Dr. Szokol shares his insights into the revolutionary advancements in drug-eluting stent technology, which are reshaping how we approach p...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with documentary filmmaker Mike Eisenberg, where we explore the transformative role of technology in patient safety, inspired by his acclaimed film "The Pitch." Discover how pioneers like Jeff Cooper have shaped anesthesia patient safety and learn how the world of aviation offers valuable lessons for the healthcare industry. We promise you'll...

Documentary film director, Mike Eisenberg, shares his compelling journey from playing minor league baseball to directing films that change lives. Inspired by his late father, a prominent figure in patient safety, Eisenberg brings passion and insight to his exploration of patient safety in healthcare. His earlier work, "To Error is Human," laid the groundwork for a critical conversation o...

Can anesthesia care for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impact patient safety during surgery? Join me, Alli Bechtel, as I unravel the complexities of managing anesthesia for OSA patients, drawing insights from experts like Mandeep Singh and his team, featured in the June 2024 APSF newsletter. This episode promises to enhance your understanding of the challenges and solutions in periope...

Wiretap laws might seem like a distant concern, but in the realm of clinical practice, they could be more relevant than you think. What if a simple audio recording could make or break your patient care approach? Join us as we unravel the complexities of wiretap regulations in healthcare with insights from Karolina Brook's enlightening APSF article, "Wiretap Laws: Relevance to Clinical Pr...

Ever wondered how wiretap laws impact your daily clinical interactions and patient safety measures? Discover the complexities of these laws with insights from our guest, Dr. Karolina Brook, an anesthesiologist from Boston Medical Center. Join us on the Anesthesia Patient Safety Podcast as we unravel the intricacies of one-party and all-party consent states, and explore how these decades-old statut...

Unlock the secrets to enhancing patient safety with our comprehensive discussion on the External Ventricular Drain (EVD) Safety Campaign. Ever wondered how to drastically reduce complications like ventriculitis? We promise you'll walk away with actionable insights, from the critical use of antimicrobial EVDs to the meticulous setup of devices by trained personnel under sterile conditions. We&...

Curious about the best practices for managing patients with External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) during anesthesia and ICU transport? Join us as we talk to Dr. Abhijit Lele, a leading neuro-anesthesiologist and neuro-intensivist, who shares his expertise and personal journey from pediatrics to neuro-critical care. Discover the collaborative efforts between the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (A...

Curious about how to enhance patient safety with external ventricular drains or EVDs? Join us as we unravel the intricacies of EVDs and their pivotal role in perioperative care. With over 25,000 EVD placements annually in the United States, it's crucial for anesthesia and critical care professionals to master the management of these devices to prevent serious complications. We delve into the...

Unlock the secrets to improving anesthesia patient safety as we tackle the critical issue of intraoperative hypotension. Did you know that hypotension during surgery can lead to severe complications like acute kidney injury, myocardial injury, delirium, and stroke? Join us as we dissect recent studies, including one by Ariyarathna and colleagues linking high vasopressor use to kidney damage, and a...

Ever wondered about the dangers of low blood pressure during surgery? This episode features Amy Yerdon, a certified registered nurse anesthetist and assistant professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, who brings to light the critical issue of intraoperative hypotension. Alongside co-authors Matt Scherrer and Desiree Chappell, Yerdon underscores the often-overlooked consequences that pati...

We are sharing the Residents in a Room Podcast episode #65 on Nontraditional Pathways - Leadership. Unlock the secrets of non-traditional leadership pathways within anesthesiology with Dr. Della Lin, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience. Learn how Dr. Lin transitioned from a department chair to a speaker, healthcare think tank participant, and APSF board member, offering insight...

Discover the critical steps to safeguarding pediatric patients from opioid-induced respiratory depression in our latest episode featuring experts Tricia Vecchione and Constance Monitto. Learn about the paramount risk factors, such as age and co-morbidities like obstructive sleep apnea, that put young patients at increased risk. We’ll explore essential continuous monitoring strategies, emphasizing...

How do we keep our youngest and most vulnerable patients safe from the deadly threat of opioid-induced respiratory depression? On this episode of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Podcast, we uncover the answers with invaluable insights from pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Connie Monitto. Dr. Monitto, along with co-author Tricia Vecchione, breaks down their June 2024 APSF newsletter article, highlighti...