Asad E. Patanwala

Opioid Conversions in Acute Care

Objective: To discuss the historical basis and limitations of opioid conversion tables, review the relevant literature, and establish an evidence-based equianalgesic dose ratio (EDR) table for performing conversions in the acute care setting. Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966–January 2007) using the key words opioid, tolerance, conversion, dose, equianalgesic, equipotent, acute care, morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone. Additional references were located through a review of the bibliographies of articles cited and references cited in conversion tables. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All data sources identified were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included, with the exception of case series and case reports when higher level evidence was available. Data Synthesis: Opioid conversion tables are published in major textbooks, medical references, national guidelines, and review articles. Some conversion tables do not accurately reflect the dose ratios for which evidence is available. There is marginal evidence-based clinical data to support the dose ratios cited in these tables, particularly in the acute care setting where the clinical status of patients often changes rapidly. The barriers when performing route and opioid-to-opioid conversions in the acute care setting are formidable, but EDRs are provided, based on the best available evidence. Conclusions: In the acute care setting, calculation of dose ratios for opioids, based solely on opioid conversion tables, is an oversimplification of pain management, with a potential for adverse consequences. The calculation of EDRs is one step in an interdisciplinary process that must take into account patient- and institution-specific factors.

A Prospective Observational Study of Medication Errors in a Tertiary Care Emergency Department

STUDY OBJECTIVE We determine the rate and severity of medication errors, as well as factors associated with error occurrence in the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was a prospective observational study conducted between May 1, 2008, and February 1, 2009. The pharmacist observer was present in the ED for 28 shifts (12 hours each). Information was collected on the medication use process by observing the activities of nurses caring for the patients. Errors were categorized by severity. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with a risk of medication error. RESULTS The observer identified 178 medication errors in 192 patients during the data collection period. At least 1 error occurred in 59.4% of patients, and 37% of patients overall had an error that reached them. No errors in the study resulted in permanent harm to the patient or contributed to initial or prolonged hospitalization; however, interventions were performed to prevent patient harm that likely influenced the severity of error. Errors categorized according to stage were prescribing (53.9%), transcribing (10.7%), dispensing (0.6%), and administering (34.8%). Variables predictive of medication errors were boarded patient status (odds ratio [OR] 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 4.5), number of medication orders (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.39), number of medications administered (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.38), and nursing employment status (less error if full time) (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.86). CONCLUSION Medication errors in the ED are common, and most errors occur in the prescribing and administering phases. Boarded patient status, increasing number of medications orders, increasing number of medications administered, and part-time nursing status are associated with an increased risk of medication error.

Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Critical Bleeding

Objective: To review the evidence supporting the use of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) as a hemostatic agent in individuals without hemophilia. Data Sources: Articles were identified through a search of Ovid/MEDLINE (up to April 2011) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (up to April 2011). The search terms used were prothrombin complex concentrate, hemorrhage, and bleeding. Study Selection and Data Extraction: The search was limited to comparative studies. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were reviewed to obtain additional articles. The intent of the search was to identify original research comparing PCC to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or recombinant factor VIIa for the management of bleeding in patients without hemophilia. Data Synthesis: PCCs are recommended as an alternative to FFP and recombinant factor VIIa for the treatment of serious or life-threatening bleeding related to vitamin K antagonist therapy. Studies in this setting have shown that PCCs are safe and effective and provide prompt reduction of international normalized ratio (INR) compared to FFP. However, most trials are uncontrolled, and the primary outcomes in these studies have been INR reduction rather than hemostatic effect. Other common off-label uses include coagulopathy due to hepatic failure and traumatic hemorrhage; however, there is insufficient evidence to support use of PCC in these settings. Advantages of PCC include the low drug volume required compared to FFP. The use of PCC may be associated with thromboembolic complications. Conclusions: PCC is a safe and effective alternative to FFP and provides rapid reversal of INR in patients on vitamin K antagonist therapy. These agents may be advantageous compared to FFP in patients with volume restrictions. Comparative trials are needed to compare the various PCC products, FPP, and recombinant factor VIIa with regard to clinically significant outcomes such as hemostatic effect.

Comparison of Opioid Requirements and Analgesic Response in Opioid-Tolerant versus Opioid-Naïve Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Study Objectives. To compare opioid requirements in opioid‐tolerant and opioid‐naïve patients after total knee arthroplasty, and to compare pain scores, sedation scores, and adverse effects between the groups.

ANTIEMETIC THERAPY FOR NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

BACKGROUND Antiemetic agents are among the most frequently prescribed medications in the emergency department (ED). Nevertheless, there are no widely accepted evidence-based guidelines to optimize the use of these medications for nausea or vomiting in this setting. OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to briefly review the evidence supporting the use of antiemetic agents for the treatment of nausea or vomiting for adults in the ED, and to provide recommendations to help guide therapy. DISCUSSION The antiemetic agents studied include droperidol, promethazine, prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, and ondansetron. Droperidol was commonly used in the past, and is more effective than prochlorperazine or metoclopramide, but due to the US Food and Drug Administration black box warning regarding the potential for QT prolongation with this drug, its use is limited to refractory cases. Promethazine is more sedating than other comparative agents, and also has the potential for vascular damage upon intravenous administration. It may be a suitable option when sedation is desirable. Patients given prochlorperazine or metoclopramide must be monitored for akathisia that can develop at any time over 48 h post administration. Decreasing the infusion rate can reduce the incidence of this adverse effect, and the effect can be treated with intravenous diphenhydramine. Ondansetron is as effective as promethazine, and is not associated with sedation or akathisia. CONCLUSION Based on the safety and efficacy of ondansetron, it may be used as a first-line agent for relief of nausea or vomiting for most patient populations in the ED.

Pharmacologic Management of Constipation in the Critically Ill Patient

Study Objective. To compare the effectiveness of common laxatives in producing a bowel movement in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (MICU).

A comparison of the GlideScope video laryngoscope to the C-MAC video laryngoscope for intubation in the emergency department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE There is growing use of video laryngoscopy in US emergency departments (EDs). This study seeks to compare intubation success between the GlideScope video laryngoscope and the C-MAC video laryngoscope (C-MAC) in ED intubations. METHODS This was an analysis of quality improvement data collected during a 3-year period in an academic ED. After each intubation, the operator completed a standardized data form reporting patient demographics, indication for intubation, device(s) used, reason for device selection, difficult airway characteristics, number of attempts, and outcome of each attempt. An attempt was defined as insertion of the device into the mouth regardless of attempt at tube placement. The primary outcomes were first pass and overall intubation success. The study compared success rates between the GlideScope video laryngoscope and the C-MAC groups, using multivariable logistic regression and adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS During the 3-year study period, there were 463 intubations, including 230 with the GlideScope video laryngoscope as the initial device and 233 with the C-MAC as the initial device. The GlideScope video laryngoscope resulted in first-pass success in 189 of 230 intubations (82.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 76.6% to 86.9%) and overall success in 221 of 230 intubations (96.1%; 95% CI 92.7% to 98.2%). The C-MAC resulted in first-pass success in 196 of 233 intubations (84.1%; 95% CI 78.8% to 88.6%) and overall success in 225 of 233 intubations (96.6%; 95% CI 93.4% to 98.5%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the type of video laryngoscopic device was not associated with first-pass (odds ratio 1.1; 95% CI 0.6 to 2.1) or overall success (odds ratio 1.2; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.1). CONCLUSION In this study of video laryngoscopy in the ED, the GlideScope video laryngoscope and the C-MAC were associated with similar rates of intubation success.

Comparison of succinylcholine and rocuronium for first-attempt intubation success in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the effect of paralytic type and dose on first-attempt rapid sequence intubation (RSI) success in the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was a retrospective evaluation of information collected prospectively in a quality improvement database between July 1, 2007, and October 31, 2008. Information regarding all intubations performed in a tertiary care ED was recorded in this database. All RSI performed using succinylcholine or rocuronium were included. Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of paralytic type and dosing, as well as age, sex, body mass index, physician experience, device type, and presence of difficult airway predictors on first attempt RSI success. RESULTS A total of 327 RSI were included in the final analyses. All patients received etomidate as the induction sedative and were successfully intubated. Of these, 113 and 214 intubations were performed using succinylcholine and rocuronium, respectively. The rate of first-attempt intubation success was similar between the succinylcholine and rocuronium groups (72.6% vs. 72.9%, p=0.95). Median doses used for succinylcholine and rocuronium were 1.65 mg/kg (interquartile range [IQR]=1.26-1.95 mg/kg) and 1.19 mg/kg (IQR=1-1.45 mg/kg), respectively. In the univariate logistic regression analyses, variables predictive of first-attempt intubation success were laryngeal view (more success if Grade 1 or 2 compared to Grade 3 or 4 of the Cormack-Lehane classification, odds ratio [OR] =55.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]=18.87 to 161.39), intubation device (less success if direct laryngoscopy, OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.34 to 0.96), and presence of a difficult airway predictor (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.31 to 0.99). In the multivariate analysis, the only variable predictive of first-attempt intubation success was laryngeal view. CONCLUSIONS Succinylcholine and rocuronium are equivalent with regard to first-attempt intubation success in the ED when dosed according to the ranges used in this study.

First Pass Success Without Hypoxemia Is Increased With the Use of Apneic Oxygenation During Rapid Sequence Intubation in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the effect of apneic oxygenation (AP OX) on first pass success without hypoxemia (FPS-H) in adult patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS Continuous quality improvement data were prospectively collected on all patients intubated in an academic ED from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2015. During this period the use of AP OX was introduced and encouraged for all patients undergoing RSI in the ED. Following each intubation, the operator completed a standardized data form that included information on patient, operator, and intubation characteristics. Adult patients 18 years of age or greater who underwent RSI in the ED by emergency medicine residents were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was FPS-H, which was defined as successful tracheal intubation on a single laryngoscope insertion without oxygen saturation falling below 90%. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of AP OX on FPS-H. RESULTS During the 2-year study period, 635 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 380 (59.8%) had AP OX utilized and 255 (40.2%) had no AP OX utilized. In the AP OX cohort the FPS-H was 312/380 (82.1%) and in the no AP OX cohort the FPS-H was 176/255 (69.0%) (difference = 13.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.2% to 19.9%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the use of AP OX was associated with an increased odds of FPS-H (adjusted odds ratio = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.5 to 3.3). CONCLUSIONS The use of AP OX during the RSI of adult patients in the ED was associated with a significant increase in FPS-H. These results suggest that the use of AP OX has the potential to increase the safety of RSI in the ED by reducing the number of intubation attempts and the incidence of hypoxemia.

Learning Curves for Direct Laryngoscopy and GlideScope® Video Laryngoscopy in an Emergency Medicine Residency

Introduction Our objective is to evaluate the resident learning curves for direct laryngoscopy (DL) and GlideScope® video laryngoscopy (GVL) over the course of an emergency medicine (EM) residency training program. Methods This was an analysis of intubations performed in the emergency department (ED) by EM residents over a seven-year period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2014 at an academic ED with 70,000 annual visits. After EM residents perform an intubation in the ED they complete a continuous quality improvement (CQI) form. Data collected includes patient demographics, operator post- graduate year (PGY), difficult airway characteristics (DACs), method of intubation, device used for intubation and outcome of each attempt. We included in this analysis only adult intubations performed by EM residents using a DL or a standard reusable GVL. The primary outcome was first pass success, defined as a successful intubation with a single laryngoscope insertion. First pass success was evaluated for each PGY of training for DL and GVL. Logistic mixed-effects models were constructed for each device to determine the effect of PGY level on first pass success, after adjusting for important confounders. Results Over the seven-year period, the DL was used as the initial device on 1,035 patients and the GVL was used as the initial device on 578 patients by EM residents. When using the DL the first past success of PGY-1 residents was 69.9% (160/229; 95% CI 63.5%–75.7%), of PGY-2 residents was 71.7% (274/382; 95% CI 66.9%–76.2%), and of PGY-3 residents was 72.9% (309/424; 95% CI 68.4%–77.1%). When using the GVL the first pass success of PGY-1 residents was 74.4% (87/117; 95% CI 65.5%–82.0%), of PGY-2 residents was 83.6% (194/232; 95% CI 76.7%–87.7%), and of PGY-3 residents was 90.0% (206/229; 95% CI 85.3%–93.5%). In the mixed-effects model for DL, first pass success for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents did not improve compared to PGY-1 residents (PGY-2 aOR 1.3, 95% CI 0.9–1.9; p-value 0.236) (PGY-3 aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.2, p-value 0.067). However, in the model for GVL, first pass success for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents improved compared to PGY-1 residents (PGY-2 aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.8, p-value 0.021) (PGY-3 aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.1–8.0, p<0.001). Conclusion Over the course of residency training there was no significant improvement in EM resident first pass success with the DL, but substantial improvement with the GVL.