How do you get the best value for your CME money? Listen to your colleagues.  procrna.com has a meeting review page that is gaining popularity among the readers.  Read the reviews and see which meetings have the best speakers in the best locations.  When you go to a meeting, post a review.  To read meeting reviews, go to http://www.procrna.com/category/meeting-review/

Anesthesia care based on patient safety and satisfaction are essential in today's workplace.  Patients deserve the best that anesthetists have to offer, including their full attention.  Lawyers are aware of distractions caused by mobile devices and the AANA has published a position statement regarding their use.  PROCRNA.com has published an article related to smartphone use in the operating room.   Click the URL below to review the article.

http://www.procrna.com/chief-crna-are-smartphones-safe-in-the-operating-room/

Many years ago as a student, I had an instructor who taught us to use IV lidocaine to supplement anesthesia.  Recently, the topic has surfaced in the literature again.  In a recent article, the authors recommended patients to be given a loading dose of lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 2mg/kg/hour for the duration of the case.  The subject was recently reviewed on www.procrna.com.

http://www.procrna.com/clinical-topic-systemic-lidocaine-improves-recovery/

Several new topics are posted every week on this web site designed to promote the practice and profession of Nurse Anesthesia.  Are distractions in the operating room compromising patient safety?   What are your favorite APPs for iPhone or iPad?  Are you ready to meet a new graduate who may be the perfect addition to your staff?  Go to www.procrna.com, read, share your comments and enjoy.

Postoperative visual loss following steep trundelenburg position for robotic prostate surgery is an ongoing problem.  Bonnie Molloy, CRNA has done the best work to date to identify the problem and offer solutions for the anesthesia provider.  Her excellent review describes physical changes in eyelid and conjunctival edema related to increased intraocular pressure.  This information is essential for any provider doing cases in the steep head-down position.  Click the URL below or go to www.procrna.com to read the full document.

http://www.procrna.com/research-steep-trundelenburg-and-postoperative-visual-loss/ to read the review

The latest target for fines from the CMS involves handwashing.  CMS inspectors can come to your hospital at any time and fine you for "endangering patient safety" if you leave a room without washing your hands.  Which handwashing technique is best?  PROCRNA.com has published an article comparing handwashing techniques.  Other new articles of interest involve the use of SSEP for cervical spine decompression and the ongoing threat of Anesthesia department takeover by venture capitalists.  Keep current with www.procrna.com.

Several articles have been written in the medical management literature about the trend for large, for profit anesthesia management groups to take over anesthesia service contracts and displace established work groups.  The Chief CRNA section of www.procrna.com has two articles related to this threat to our practice.  It is a "must read" for anybody working with an independent work group.  We must be vigilant not only with our patients but also with our practice contracts.   www.procrna.com

We use the Alaris system.  It is a little more complicated and had a learning curve, but once you know the pump is does everything you want it to do.  However, I agree with you that when it comes to syringe pumps, simple is a good thing.

The HHS Office of Civil Rights is conducting hospital audits in search of HIPAA violations.  The pilot program will assess a fine of $50K per violation.  To learn more about the program, visit www.procrna.com or click on the link below.

http://www.procrna.com/chief-crna-hhs-to-begin-audits-for-hipaa-violations/

A press release from the University of Aukland describes a study that indicates General Anesthesia causes jet-lag by re-setting the biological clock.  To review the topic and link to the original press release, visit www.procrna.com 

http://www.procrna.com/research-anesthesia-causes-jet-lag/

Anesthesiology has taken the lead in promoting patient safety.  Recently, the European anesthesiology community released the Helsinki Declaration on patient safety.  A review of the declaration can be found on www.procrna.com

I am a former Nurse Anesthesia instructor and still interested in research.  I have a topic to suggest.  Please contact me at tom@procrna.com    Also, depending on your topic the AANA foundation may have grant money to support your effort. 

Just when you think you know it all about PONV, somebody studies it from another angle.  A clinical topic published at www.procrna.com reviews the work by Mercer et al who found that giving post op fluids at body temperature significantly reduced PONV in children.  Check it out at www.procrna.com

True health care reform starts at home.  Every parent knows that what they do makes a much greater impression than what they say.  If we want our patients to be healthy, we need to role model good health.  Many people include weight control and fitness in their new year's resolution.  www.procrna.com features an excellent article on how to select a gym and also had a link to another site which promotes health and fitness.  If improved health is on your New Year's list, go to http://www.procrna.com/crna-fitness-selecting-a-gym/ and enjoy.

Health care workers distracted by cell phones and ipads are making the news.  The New York Times published an article on the front page describing a Neurosurgeon who took 10 calls during the case and ended up with an injured patient.  Read the posting on www.procrna.com to learn about the article described above plus articles in Perfusion Magazine as well as an article published by a patient advocate who warns of the dangers of becoming a distracted provider.

http://www.procrna.com/distracted-health-care-providers/