According to an article from HealthDay News, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists do not need to be supervised during procedures.  A recent study showed that patients were not at greater risk for complications or death from anesthesia when CRNAs performed the work unsupervised by a anesthesiologist or surgeon. 

Read more here:  Certified Nurse Anesthetists Can Safely Go Solo, Study Suggests

AS REPORTED IN OUTPATIENT SURGERY:

Study Shows Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks

Physicians at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, assessed the abilities of 8 anesthesia residents and fellows and 12 staff anesthesiologists to recognize the spread of a simulated local injection around raisin targets embedded in a semi-opaque gelatin model.

The study’s participants were instructed to place a 22-gauge nerve block needle next to the model’s target structures using ultrasound guidance. After placement, the participants notified a research assistant, who either injected 1mL of water or made no injection at all. The participants were then asked to confirm or deny that the injection took place.

The study, published in the July issue of the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, showed that residents and fellows correctly identified the injection’s spread – or lack of spread – 91% of the time, while staff anesthesiologists demonstrated a 93% accuracy rate.

Colin McCartney, MD, a Sunnybrook anesthesiologist and the study’s lead investigator, says that ultrasound is an easy way for anesthesia providers to determine that local anesthetic spread occurs in the correct place.

“This is tremendously important as failure to ensure the correct spread can lead to intravenous injection of local anesthetic with convulsions and cardiac arrest in patients,” he says. Other advantages of using ultrasound guidance during regional anesthesia include reducing PONV and faster post-op discharges.

Havel’s Inc. recently attended the Mayo Clinic Diagnostic & interventional Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course in Rochester, MN from July 15-17th.

The clinic was very successful and the attendees from all over the United States were very excited about the information and skills that they were learning. It was very well organized with classes, breakout sessions, and hands on classes with a lot of information.

As the only company displaying needles at the clinic, Havel’s Inc. had a very busy table. We were featuring our Echoblock MSK ultrasound needles and our newly released Echoblock PTC needles. The attendees were very eager to sample the Echoblock PTC needles because of the Micro Laser Etching (MLE) near the tip, they felt that these needles would greatly help them with the ultrasound guided injections they were learning about.

Dr. Jay Smith of the Mayo Clinic, the host of the workshop and one of the instructors, took several of the Echoblock PTC needles to the cadaver workshop for the attendees to try. After using them he told me they looked great under ultrasound. Overall everyone seemed pleased with the items we were showing.

A recent article in Outpatient Surgery explains the findings of a study published in the latest issue of the journal Anesthesiology. 

In 3,081 patients in Taiwan who underwent total knee or hip replacement surgeries, the likelihood of developing an SSI 30 days after surgery was 2.2 times greater for those who had general anesthesia than for those who had an epidural or spinal anesthesia.

Read more in Outpatient Surgery.

Havel’s Incorporated Announces the Release of Four New Innovative Ultrasound Needles.

 The market leader in echogenic needles for ultrasound guided regional anesthesia releases four new innovative echogenic needles. 

Micro Laser Etching on PTC Needle

 

CINCINNATI, July 12/Havel’s Incorporated/ – Havel’s Incorporated, the Cincinnati-based market leader in echogenic needles, announces the release of a new line of needles with Micro Laser Etching near the tip.  “I am very excited about the new MLE™ echogenic feature because it does not affect the inner diameter of the needle, allowing users to pass wires or catheters through the cannula without obstruction,” says John Barrett, vice president of sales & marketing for Havel’s Incorporated.  The new MLE™ technology allows for a much larger variety of sizes. 

Known for their patented Corner Cube Reflectors, or CCR® marks, Havel’s revolutionized the ultrasound needle industry.  CCR® marks near the tip of the needle reflect sound waves back to the transducer, showing anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists exactly where the tip of the needle is under ultrasound.   Instead of CCR® reflectors, which slightly reduce the inner diameter of the needle, the new needles have Micro Laser Etching, or MLE™, near the tip to reflect sound waves back to the transducer.  The tip is therefore visible under ultrasound with no reduction of inner diameter.  “We hope to eventually use the new MLE™ technology on a variety of products for use throughout the hospital,” Barrett says. 

The new needles include the EchoBlock® PTC for Ultrasound Guided Pain Injections and the EchoBlock® PTC30 for Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks.  The AccuTarg® Quincke and the AccuTarg® Chiba point needles feature the MLE™ reflectors and can be used in radiology and for ultrasound guided procedures.

Studies show that biopsies using percutaneous needles are a growing practice.  Read the following article for more information.

Havel’s Inc. would like to congratulate Dr. Paul Barash for receiving the SCA distinguished service award.

Congratulations Dr. Barash!

Surgery on Sunday is a non-profit program in Lexington, Kentucky that provides outpatient surgical services to people without insurance and those who do not qualify for government aid.

According to their website, the organization is a partner of United Way and receives funding from private donors. 

Patients must have a primary doctor to receive a referral before they can receive surgery through the program.  Surgery on Sunday can help them find a primary care doctor if necessary.

Doctors and nurses volunteer their time and expertise to the service.

The ISURA Show in Toronto.

Havel’s Inc. recently exhibited at the International Symposium of Ultrasound for Regional Anesthesia (ISURA) in Toronto, Canada.  Havel’s showed their EchoStim® Insulated, EchoBlock® Non-Insulated, and EchoBlock® MSK for Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia and Pain Injections.  Since the symposium focused on the use of ultrasound in regional anesthesia and pain management, Havel’s products were very popular. 

The conference attendees came from countries around the world: New Zealand, Kuwait, China, and Norway, to name a few.  The international flavor provided insight as to how similar issues are handled differently around the world.  The Regional Anesthesia and Chronic Pain Programs helped attendees improve their use of Ultrasound Guidance, so they could return home and put those new skills to work.

Dr. Chan and John Barrett

Dr. Vincent Chan and his staff did an excellent job organizing the conference, including the non-CME related functions.  The Gala Dinner Friday night, for instance, was held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.  The excellent meal was only part of the evening, as the elegant grounds and the ferry rides to and from the island were also high points.

Saturday’s schedule went well and the attendees seemed happy that things were running so smoothly.  They only had good things to say during the reception Saturday evening, where attendees gathered to relax with wine and appetizers.  Sunday’s schedule was shorter and without exhibitors, though I am sure it went smoothly as well.  It will be 2 years before the ISURA conference comes back to Toronto, but I suggest you plan on attending.  See you in 2012.

–John Barrett, VP Sales & Marketing

Men’s Health Month is celebrated every June with a country-wide calendar of activities ranging from screenings to health fairs and educational programs. 

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to raise awareness of preventable conditions and foster the movement toward wellness in men and boys.  This month, make appointments for screenings and tests you’ve been putting off.  Or, make a renewed commitment to fitness and better eating habits. 

There are several activities and programs supporting Men’s Health Month.  Go to www.menshealthmonth.org for more information.