James C. Phero

The first research consensus summit of the society for simulation in healthcare: Conduction and a synthesis of the results

Introduction: In this article, we describe the preparation and execution of the first Research Consensus Summit (Summit) of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) held in January 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The goals of the Summit were to provide guidance for better simulation-related research, to broaden the scope of topics investigated, and to highlight the importance of simulation-related research. Method: An international Core Group (the authors of this article) worked with the SSH Research Committee to identify 10 topic areas relevant for future research that would be examined by the 10 Topic Groups composed of Topic Chairs and Topic Group Members. Each Topic Group prepared a monograph and slide presentation on their topic which was presented at the 2-day Summit. The audience provided feedback on each presentation. Based on this feedback, the Topic Groups revised their presentations and monographs for publication in this supplement to Simulation in Healthcare. The Core Group has synthesized an overview of the key Summit themes in this article. Results: In some groups, the agreement was that there is currently no consensus about the state of the science in certain topic aspects. Some key themes emerged from the Topic Groups. The conceptual and theoretical bases of simulation-related research, as well as the methods used and their methodological foundations, need to be more explicitly described in future publications. Although no single method is inherently better, the mix of research methods chosen should match the goal of each study. The impact of simulation, whether direct or indirect, needs to be assessed across different levels of training, and larger, more complex contexts need to be taken into account. When interpreting simulation-related research, the ecological validity of the results needs to be taken into consideration. The scope of simulation-related research can be widened from having simulation as the focus of research (research about simulation), to using simulation to investigate other research questions (research with simulation). Simulation-related research can benefit from an improved understanding of structural differences and similarities with other domains. The development of simulation equipment and concepts will benefit from applying known and available science-based design frameworks. Overall, the context of simulation-related research needs to be better understood. The progress of research depends on building overarching and sustainable research programs that relate individual studies with each other. Discussion: The Summit was successful in taking a snapshot of the state of the science. Future summits might explore these topics further, monitor progress, and address new topics.

Neural Blockade and Pharmacokinetics following Subarachnoid Lidocaine in the Rhesus Monkey I. Effects of Epinephrine

A sensitive and reliable animal model for the objective physiologic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of spinal anesthesia has been developed. Using this model, spinal anesthesia using lidocaine (30 mg) in 7.5% dextrose with and without epinephrine was compared. Epinephrine did not alter the degree or duration of time to achieve maximum motor block. However, epinephrine did significantly increase the time for complete motor recovery. A significantly higher dermatome level of sensory block was achieved in the epinephrine-containing solutions, as well as a significantly longer time for complete recovery. This reflects a latent effect of epinephrine, as the time for two-segment regression was independent of epinephrine. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed no effect of epinephrine on absorption and elimination constants. The maximum plasma concentration and time to reach maximum plasma concentration were equal with and without epinephrine.

Contemporary trends in acute pain management.

Purpose of reviewIn the management of acute pain, the ability to prevent the onset of pain in the immediate postoperative period, lessen its intensity, and interfere with the development of sensitization contributing to hyperalgesia for days following a procedure can greatly benefit the patient, rather than postoperative attempts to decrease pain after it has reached full intensity. Recent findingsPatients benefit from receiving optimal NSAID doses. These agents are effective, relatively safe, and reduce the need for opioids. In situations where pain can be anticipated, the NSAID may be optimized by preoperative administration and continuing to dose the NSAID on a regular schedule to minimize pain and inflammation. Selective COX-2 inhibitors can also prevent pain but without concern for effects on platelet function and have a longer duration of action than traditional NSAIDs. Once the dose of NSAID has been optimized, but pain persists, opioid use may be a consideration. A commercially available combination product containing opioid and acetaminophen may be a good option and is easy to prescribe. Acetaminophen’s site of action differs from that of NSAIDs, and acetaminophen’s analgesic effect is considered synergistic when combined with NSAIDs and opioids. When prescribing combination opioid and acetaminophen analgesic products or acetaminophen alone, the practitioner must caution the patient not to exceed 4 g of acetaminophen per day due to concerns with hepatic injury. Given that the patient has already been prescribed an optimal and/or ceiling dose of NSAID, combination products containing aspirin, an NSAID, should be avoided. As opioids have no ceiling dose, there are some situations where opioid dosing is better done with the opioid prescribed separately. This permits increasing the opioid to the needed analgesic dose with no concerns for acetaminophen toxicity. SummaryCareful selection of an effective analgesic regimen can prevent the stress and anxiety associated with acute postoperative pain and breakthrough pain. Pain prevention has greater benefits than attempts at rescue therapy when pain exacerbation occurs. A variety of pain management regimens are presented based on empirical estimates of pain intensity and an application of sound pharmacological principles.

Drug Therapy in Dental Practice: Nonopioid and Opioid Analgesics

To prevent patient pain, the clinician may chose from opioid and nonopioid analgesics. It is rational for the practitioner to combine drugs from these classes when managing moderate to severe pain. To select combination regimens wisely, it is necessary to understand the significant pharmacological features of each category alone. Careful selection of an effective analgesic regimen based on the type and amount of pain the patient is expected to have can prevent the stress and anxiety associated with breakthrough pain. The clinician can and should develop a variety of effective, safe analgesic regimens, based on estimates of anticipated pain intensity that use sound pharmacological principles.

Comparison of Neural Blockade and Pharmacokinetics after Subarachnoid Lidocaine in the Rhesus Monkey. Ii: Effects of Volume, Osmolality, and Baricity

The effects of volume, osmolality, and baricity on lidocaine spinal anesthesia in the rhesus monkey were studied. Changes in neural blockade, physical properties of cerebrospinal fluid, and arterial pharmacokinetics associated with variations in injectate composition were assessed. Wide ranges of volume, baricity, and osmolality were studied using 1, 2, and 5% lidocaine prepared in either sterile water or 7.5% dextrose. Minimal changes in neural blockade were found in the ranges of osmolality and baricity studied, although 5% lidocaine in sterile water resulted in significantly shorter complete recovery times for both sensory and motor block when compared to other solutions. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid obtained after injection of lidocaine showed increases or decreases in specific gravity and osmolality depending on the physical properties of the solution injected. No differences in elimination phase pharmacokinetics were found with any of the lidocaine solutions. Rates of systemic absorption increased with decreasing osmolality. Osmotic potentiation of lidocaine spinal anesthesia could not be demonstrated.

Rational use of analgesic combinations

Careful selection of an effective analgesic regimen based on the amount and type of pain the patient is expected to have can prevent the stress and anxiety associated with breakthrough pain. When analgesics fail, it is not unusual for patients to go to desperate lengths to seek relief. The clinician can and should develop a variety of effective, safe analgesic regimens based on estimates of anticipated pain intensity that apply sound pharmacologic principles.

Regional anesthesia and invasive techniques to manage head and neck pain

Regional anesthesia of the head and neck is an effective method of obtaining surgical anesthesia for various procedures. Diagnostic and therapeutic head and neck blocks can also assist with the diagnosis and management of many chronic pain conditions, including headache, postherpetic neuralgia, and cancer pain in this region. Gamma knife surgery offers a unique approach to the management of refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Because of the proximity of so many critical structures adjacent to these nerves, a solid understanding of the anatomical basis of these nerve blocks is necessary. Appropriate patient selection, monitoring, proper injection technique, knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, possible drug interactions, and recommended doses will ensure safe and successful application of head and neck nerve blockade.

Pharmacology of Local Anesthetics Used in Oral Surgery

This article provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacology of local anesthetics as a class, and provides details of the individual drugs available in dental cartridges. Maximum recommended doses of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors are presented for healthy adult and pediatric patients, and for patients with cardiovascular system impairments. Various complications and reasons for failure of local anesthesia effectiveness are discussed, and current and future trends in local anesthesia are presented to provide an overview of current research in local anesthesia.

Adult Airway Evaluation in Oral Surgery

Patients with a history of difficult intubation or with conditions associated with difficult airway should be approached with organized primary and secondary plans for airway management. When these potential problems are detected, patient safety may be improved with use of advanced airway management techniques and equipment. Additionally, patient referral for consultation and/or management at facilities where advanced airway management practitioners and equipment are available may be beneficial in some cases.

Evaluation of lidocaine spinal anesthesia in the rhesus monkey.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether a nonhuman primate model could be developed that would allow reproducible spinal anesthesia with determination of onset and duration of both sensory and motor anesthesia, using techniques for evaluation common in clinical practice. Recently, Feldman and Covino (1) reported the development of a chronic dog model for evaluation of spinal anesthesia. However, their model was used for determination of onset and duration of motor anesthesia only. They were not able to measure either sensory or autonomic blockade. A review of the limited Iiterature relating to spinal anesthesia in primates reveals examination of narrow aspects of the technique. Some of those studies examined systemic and regional blood flow during spinal anesthesia, but there was no attempt to measure neural blockade (2). Another study was conducted using hyperbaric ketamine in the rhesus mon-