We could think of no better must read for this week than this.
A new study from the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project and Anesthesia Quality Institute has found that:
Respiratory depression (RD) often strikes patients within 24 hours of surgery and causes death or brain damage in the most serious of these cases, yet these injuries are often preventable …
More than 88% of the RD events that led to malpractice cases occurred within 24 hours of surgery, with 77% resulting in severe brain damage or death …
Howvever, the overwhelming majority of cases—97%—were judged to have been preventable if there had been better monitoring of the patients or a more adequate response once RD was identified.
Researchers recommended:
tighter controls over the prescription of sedatives and opioid-based pain medication, better training of clinical staff in assessing the signs of RD and more effective postoperative monitoring of patients who are prescribed opioids.
Respiratory Depression Injuries Overwhelmingly Preventable #ptsafety Click To Tweet
Had surgical procedure some years ago. In healing room I wakened in intense ache screaming, begging for some thing for the ache. Then I do not forget nurse announcing we cannot come up with anymore, then I pass out. Then I listen alarms going off and nurse announcing awaken awaken hon you are now no longer breathing, live with me. I pass lower back under. I’m eventually out of healing and go away w family. I preserve having flashbacks of intense ache. Then, I study a fitness app on my iPhone which confirmed latest blood work. It additionally confirmed facts of my preceding surgical procedure that stated I changed into given Narcan at some stage in healing for depressed breathing. NOT one phrase changed into instructed to me through anesthesiologist or nurses or Doctor. Still having flashbacks in my dreams. great blog thanks for sharing this info.