Anesthesia

Effective business decision-making requires closely monitoring key management metrics to prepare for critical practice challenges, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants' Jody Locke, anesthesia and pain management services vice president.

Tampa (Fla.) Outpatient Surgical Facility and North Tampa Outpatient Surgical Facility's President and CEO Devanand Mangar, MD, helped create a think tank focused on preventing opioid abuse, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports. 

Although there are hurdles to implementing blockchain, such as the costs of setting up blockchain systems and the shortage of blockchain developers, it has many potential applications in anesthesiology, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.

The CMS' proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2019 includes changes to the quality payment program and a slight increase in the anesthesia conversion factor.

As surgical procedures migrate to the outpatient setting, it's essential for anesthesia practices to have a variety of service locations, such as ASCs, endoscopy centers and physician offices, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants' Jody Locke, MA.

Irving, Texas-based NorthStar Anesthesia fell victim to a phishing campaign that compromised several employees emails and patient records.

A review published in Current Pain and Headache Reports concludes research and professional guidelines don't sufficiently address postoperative opioid weaning after ambulatory surgery, Clinical Pain Advisor reports.

A study, published in the British Journal of Anesthesia, claims adults 70 years and older experience a subtle decline in memory and cognitive skills after being exposed to general anesthesia.

Surgical Information Systems detailed five ways electronic anesthesia documentation can improve post-anesthesia care, specifically regarding patient care handoffs.

Improving the Anesthesia Experience for Physicians and Patients