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Anesthesiology residents want frequent feedback on their clinical performance, as well as evaluations of their performance compared to their fellow residents as a whole, according to a study in the January issue of Anesthesiology. The study conducted by faculty in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine demonstrates how an automated case evaluation tool can fulfill some of the new assessment requirements in the Milestones system of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which begins in July 2014 for all anesthesiology residencies.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA®) recently distributed a Request for Proposal (RFP), the initial step in a major initiative to develop a learning collaborative of health care organizations to improve surgical care through the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model. The PSH is an innovative model that will improve patient care and health care delivery, and reduce costs by implementing a seamless continuity of care from the moment surgery is planned, through recovery and discharge from a medical facility and beyond.

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A study in the December issue of Anesthesiology suggests a role for brain imaging in the assessment and potential treatment of chronic pain. University of Michigan researchers are the first to use brain imaging procedures to track the clinical action of pregabalin, a drug known by the brand name Lyrica® that is prescribed to patients suffering from fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain.

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Epigenetics, the study of changes in gene expression through mechanisms outside of the DNA structure, has been found to control a key pain receptor related to surgical incision pain, according to a study in the November issue of Anesthesiology. This study reveals new information about pain regulation in the spinal cord.

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A single injection eased severe, chronic pain caused by late-stage bone cancer in dogs, according to a study in the November issue of Anesthesiology. Dogs with bone cancer that received a neurotoxin injection had significantly more pain relief than those that got standard care without the injection.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today installed Jane C.K. Fitch, M.D., as its president during the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2013™ annual meeting.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) announced today the election of Daniel J. Cole, M.D., to First Vice President of the ASA Executive Committee during the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Dr. Cole is professor of anesthesiology and vice dean for continuous professional development at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

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Early-stage lung and prostate cancers as well as their recurrence can be detected with a simple blood test, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2013™ annual meeting. Serum-free fatty acids and their metabolites may be used as screening biomarkers to help diagnose early stages of cancer, as well as identify the probability of recovery and recurrence after tumor removal, researchers found.

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Breast cancer patients who received the combination of a nerve block with general anesthesia for their breast cancer surgery had less cancer recurrence and were three times less likely to die than those who received only general anesthesia, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ annual meeting. Additionally, patients who received the nerve block needed less opioid pain relief from drugs such as fentanyl and oxycodone.

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Complications in the recovery room decreased by 58 percent between 1990 and 2010, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. In a previous study completed in the late 1980s, recovery room complications occurred in 23.7 percent of the patients. Today, the complication rate is 9.9 percent. The study also found that less-healthy patients are more prone to recovery room complications.

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Late starts to the first surgical case of the day can be improved, according to two studies presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Improving efficiency potentially reduces costs, increases patient and staff satisfaction, and increases the number of cases that can be performed daily.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today presented James C. Eisenach, M.D., with its 2013 Excellence in Research Award in recognition of his outstanding research achievements which have had an important impact on the field of anesthesiology. Dr. Eisenach is well known for his research on understanding the mechanisms of pain.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today presented Sachin Kheterpal, M.D., M.B.A., with its 2013 Presidential Scholar Award in recognition of his outstanding career in research. Dr. Kheterpal has successfully combined his medical, business administration, informatics and software development experience to create innovative ways to analyze patient outcomes.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today presented Jeffrey B. Cooper, Ph.D., with its 2012 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his contributions to dramatically advance the safety of anesthesia. The award is the highest honor ASA bestows and is presented annually to a member who has transformed the specialty of anesthesiology.

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Elderly surgical patients are more likely to suffer from debilitating post-operative delirium if they have diabetes, undergo longer surgery or respond poorly to stress, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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Researchers have identified hundreds of variants in a patient’s DNA sequence or genetic code that predict which military service members are more likely to develop persistent, chronic pain after amputation, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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Ninety-seven percent of bariatric surgery patients avoided post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) with the addition of a second drug to the standard treatment given during surgery, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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Simple remedies – from keeping the antibacterial gel dispenser clean to giving health care workers their own hand sanitizer – can help keep patients safe by decreasing contamination in operating and recovery rooms, suggest two studies presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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Before and after spinal surgery, patients on a polyamine-deficient diets experienced significant relief of both chronic and acute pain, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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In response to the prescription drug abuse epidemic in the United States, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is collaborating with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to respond to the problem, educate the public and advance programs to help those who misuse and abuse prescription drugs.

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For the more than 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches, relief may be on the way in the form of an electric pulse, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Electric stimulation of the peripheral nerve reduced average headache intensity by more than 70 percent.

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Patients with fibromyalgia resistant to more routine therapies have a new pain relief treatment available, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusion provided significant pain relief to fibromyalgia patients, although the pain relief was much less for African-Americans and smokers.

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Researchers have discovered how to determine which bipolar patients will benefit from Ketamine, a treatment commonly used for depression and pain relief, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

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The incidence of chronic pain following cardiac surgery can be reduced in patients when the drug pregabalin is used before surgery and for 14 days post-surgery, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. The study also found that patients at risk of developing long-term post-operative persistent pain can be predicted by conducting pain sensitivity tests at the time of surgery.

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Long-term memory loss, difficulty understanding verbal or written communication or impaired ability to pay attention may still occur five years after heart surgery if a patient has a certain gene variation, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. This gene was found to be related to a decline in cognitive capabilities compared to those who do not have the variation.

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Propofol has never been used for executions, but some states are considering changes to their lethal injection protocols due to market unavailability of barbiturates that have been previously used. Panelists will discuss the steps ASA, state anesthesiologist societies and Fresenius Kabi are taking to avert a shortage.

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Women in labor can enjoy a chocolate or vanilla protein shake during labor rather than being relegated to the tedium of ice chips, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Mothers who drank a protein drink during childbirth reported higher satisfaction rates, although nausea and vomiting rates were the same as for mothers who were only given ice chips.

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With the entry of “Millenials” into medical residency programs across the country, institutions have started to examine ways to improve programs to correspond with that generation’s learning behaviors and preferences. A study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting found that Millennial residents use their iPad® to enhance their educational experience. Surprisingly, as residents increased use of their iPad® for educational purposes, their personal iPad® use decreased significantly.

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Using intravenous (IV) acetaminophen with narcotics provides more effective pain relief to children having tonsillectomies, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Additionally, the combination therapy saves costs due to reduced use of narcotics after surgery, reduced side effects and slightly quicker hospital discharge than in patients who receive narcotics alone.

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Menopausal women suffer from half as many hot flashes after receiving a non-hormonal chronic pain treatment, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. The nerve block treatment interrupts the area of the brain that regulates body temperature, reducing moderate-to-severe hot flashes and alleviating depression in menopausal women, breast cancer patients and women in surgical menopause.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today released a list of specific tests or procedures that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in anesthesiology as part of Choosing Wisely®, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists commends Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on his decision not to use propofol in a manner that may have significantly affected the availability of this medication for the anesthetic care of patients in America. Propofol’s wide-spread patient acceptance and tolerance in procedures requiring anesthesia make this medicine critically important to providing the most optimal outcomes for patients.

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An overview of the SEDASYS® system, including its indications for use and operation. Panelists will review specific clinical and administrative recommendations that will help Directors of Anesthesia Services and practicing physician anesthesiologists integrate the device into practice in the safest and most efficient fashion.

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Run For The Warriors® is a unique race dedicated to the men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and families of the fallen. It provides wounded service members the opportunity to run, walk or cycle to assist in their physical and emotional rehabilitation.

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The San Francisco Run For The Warriors® sponsored by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) will be held at the Brannan Street Wharf on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 a.m. to coincide with the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. This is the 4th annual Run For The Warriors® sponsored by ASA. Registration for the 5K is $30 with special pricing for service members. All proceeds from the San Francisco Run For The Warriors® will benefit Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that assists post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

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Having the right tool to estimate surgical risk in patients at high risk for complications and death during and after surgery is crucially important, according to a study in the October issue of Anesthesiology.

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An estimated 80 percent of patients who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) go undiagnosed, including Deanna G. McNeil, a 72-year-old nurse from Toronto.

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In an examination comparing the effects of two drugs on blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and cardiac output in women having elective delivery by cesarean section was challenged, according to a study in the September issue of Anesthesiology.

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With the number of maternal deaths on the rise in the United States, researchers found that a drug frequently used to augment or induce labor may contribute to postpartum bleeding, a study in the September issue of Anesthesiology notes.

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Using the right tool to measure patient satisfaction can guide improved health care quality, according to a study in the August issue of Anesthesiology.

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An animal study in the August issue of Anesthesiology suggests that higher-frequency electric current stimulation of the spinal cord reduced pain quicker and better reached nerves not affected by traditionally used frequencies.

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The use of a less-expensive, longer-acting anesthetic (isoflurane) resulted in no difference in duration of hospitalization compared to the use of a more expensive, shorter-acting anesthetic (desflurane or sevoflurane), according to a study from the July issue of Anesthesiology.

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A clinical trial published in the July issue of Anesthesiology may shed some light on whether nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) causes an increased risk for cardiac events, including heart attacks after surgery, particularly among high-risk patients.

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A study from the June issue of Anesthesiology found feedback from the front region of the brain is a crucial building block for consciousness and that its disruption is associated with unconsciousness.

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Data from new electronic anesthesia information management systems (AIMS) can be used to assess surgical procedure- and institution-specific blood requirements, according to a study from the June issue of Anesthesiology.

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A study published in the June issue of Anesthesiology represents an important first step in establishing new therapeutic options targeting specific genetic areas that influence the occurrence and severity of sepsis – a life-threatening, whole-body response to infection.

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A University of Michigan study from the “Online First” edition of Anesthesiology found cardiac arrest was associated with improved survival when it occurred in the operating room (O.R.) or post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) compared to other hospital locations.

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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) broke ground Saturday, April 27 on its new headquarters at 1061 American Lane, Schaumburg, Ill. The ceremony marked the start of construction on a three-story, 70,000 square foot, highly efficient building capable of accommodating nearly 200 employees.

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A study published in the May issue of Anesthesiology discovered that spinal or epidural anesthesia were associated with fewer postoperative complications and death than general anesthesia in patients undergoing primary hip or knee replacement.

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A study in the April issue of Anesthesiology found adult behaviors influence children’s coping in the recovery room after surgery.