Anesthesia

Research performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology lends new insight into why inhaling anesthetics causes unconsciousness, according to an e! Science News report.

A study released in the April issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia compared the safety of a neutral head position during ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation with the safety of a 45-degree neck rotation.

Slender patients are significantly more likely than overweight patients to die within a month following surgery, according to a study reported on MSNBC.

Elderly patients with a history of sleep apnea may be more likely to experience postoperative delirium, according to a study published in the April issue of Anesthesiology.

The use of anesthesia information management systems, or AIMS, is expected to grow by more than 50 percent this year as the systems become increasingly recognized as a necessary element for patient care, according to a DOTmed News report. 

Parkview LaGrange (Ind.) Hospital recently appointed Jeffrey Barr, MD, to its medical staff, according to a KPC News report.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists was among 32 medical organizations asking Congress to move forward with legislation addressing the nationwide drug shortage.

A California court last week ruled that nurses trained to administer anesthetics can give them to patients without physician supervision, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.

Editor's note: This article by Tony Mira, president and CEO of Anesthesia Business Consultants, an anesthesia & pain management billing and practice management services company, originally appeared in Anesthesia Business Consultants eAlerts, a free electronic newsletter. Sign-up to receive this…

Some anesthesiologists may hesitate to report medical errors due to concern over blame from their colleagues, according to a study published in the March issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.