The introduction of a surgical safety checklist in a tertiary referral obstetric centre.

BACKGROUND Surgery-related adverse events remain a significant and often under-reported problem. In a recent study, the introduction of a perioperative checklist by the WHO reduced deaths and complications by 46% and 36% respectively. The authors wished to evaluate the introduction of a surgical safety checklist in a busy obstetric tertiary referral centre by assessing staff attitudes, checklist compliance and effects upon patients. METHODS A questionnaire-based assessment was performed on staff working in obstetric theatres before and after the introduction of the surgical safety checklist. Checklist compliance was assessed at 3 months and 1 year. Patients were asked questions relating to the performance of the surgical safety checklist in order to evaluate any anxiety caused. RESULTS Non-medical staff were significantly more likely than medical staff to feel familiar with other team members both before (p<0.001) and after (p=0.03) the introduction of the checklist. 69.6% of all staff felt that interprofessional communication had improved following the introduction of the checklist. Compliance with pre- and postoperative checks was 61.2% and 67.6%, respectively, improving to 79.7% and 84.7% after 1 year. Although the majority of patients were aware of the checks being performed, this did not provoke anxiety. CONCLUSION Following consultation with staff and patients, the authors managed to institute and sustain the performance of a surgical safety checklist for elective cases in obstetric theatres. While significant progress has been made, the authors recognise that further work is required in order to further evaluate and optimise this process.

Evaluation of M43B Lumbar puncture simulator-II as a training tool for identification of the epidural space and lumbar puncture.

The identification of the epidural space, insertion of an epidural catheter and lumbar puncture are advanced technical skills that can be challenging to teach to novice anaesthetists. The M43B Lumbar puncture simulator-II (Limbs & Things Ltd., Sussex Street, Bristol, UK) is a teaching aid designed for epidural and spinal insertion. The aim of this study was to determine if experienced anaesthetists thought this simulator may be a useful tool for training novice anaesthetists in these procedures. Experienced anaesthetists performed an epidural insertion followed by a lumbar puncture procedure on the simulator model. Various aspects of both epidural and lumbar puncture insertions were scored by the anaesthetists for likeness to a real patient using a Likert scale (0--strongly disagree; 1--disagree; 2--neither agree nor disagree; 3--agree; 4--strongly agree). The simulator was found to be life-like for most aspects of epidural insertion. Median (IQR [range]) scores were: iliac crests 3.0 (3.0-3.2 [3-4]); spinous processes 3.0 (3.0-3.2 [2-4]); skin puncture 3.0 (3.0-3.0 [1-4]); subcutaneous tissues 3.0 (2.7-3.0 [1-4]); and loss of resistance 3.0 (3.0-4.0 [3-4]). The scores for supraspinous ligament 2.0 (1.0-3.0 [0-3]), interspinous ligament 2.5 (1.7-3.0 [0-3]) and ligamentum flavum 2.0 (1.0-3.0 [0-4]) were borderline for life-likeness. The volunteers found threading of the epidural catheter difficult and rated it unlike a real patient (score 1.0 (0.2-2.0 [0-3])). During lumbar puncture, dural puncture scored 3.0 (3.0-4.0 [2-4]) and intrathecal injection scored 2.5 (1.0-3.0 [1-4]). However, the overall impression was that the simulator could be a useful tool for training of both epidurals (score 3.0 (3.0-4.0 [3-4])) and spinals (score 3.0 (3.0-3.5 [2-4])).

Effects of normobaric hyperoxia on haemodynamic parameters of healthy full-term parturients.

Fifteen healthy, full-term women with singleton pregnancies were exposed to an increased F(I)o(2) of 0.4 and their haemodynamic responses measured with a non-invasive transthoracic bio-impedance monitor. There was a mean reduction in cardiac index from 3.18 to 3.03 l x min(-1) x m(-2) (4.7%, p = 0.004). The mean indexed systemic vascular resistance increased from 2049 to 2178 dynes x cm(-5) x m(-2) (5.7%, p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in stroke index, heart rate or mean arterial pressure. This study demonstrates that even a moderate increase in inspired oxygen fraction has significant effects on the cardiovascular system of the term parturient.

Cardiomyopathy in pregnancy and caesarean section: four case reports.

We present the clinical details of four women with cardiomyopathy who required caesarean section. Two women had peripartum cardiomyopathy and two had hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, one of whom has had two caesarean sections. Those with peripartum cardiomyopathy were more compromised than those with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Co-operation between obstetric and cardiac anaesthetists ensured optimum experience was available. An incremental combined spinal-epidural technique with invasive monitoring was used for three women and one received general anaesthesia. The risks and benefits of different anaesthetic techniques are discussed.

Comparison of patient-controlled epidural bolus administration of 0.1% ropivacaine and 0.1% levobupivacaine, both with 0.0002% fentanyl, for analgesia during labour.

The aim of the study was to compare the relative potencies and clinical characteristics of epidural ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in labour using patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). In a randomised double-blinded study, 60 ASA I or II primigravidae requesting epidural analgesia in early labour were allocated to receive either 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 0.0002% or 0.1% levobupivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl via a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Analgesia was established with 15 ml of study solution and maintained using 5-ml boluses of study solution with a 5-min lockout interval. There were no significant differences in onset time, duration and quality of analgesia, motor and sensory blockade, local anaesthetic consumption, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome or maternal satisfaction between the groups. We conclude that 0.1% ropivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl and 0.1% levobupivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl are clinically indistinguishable for labour analgesia and appear pharmacologically equipotent when using PCEA.

Patient controlled administration of intravenous alfentanil during elective caesarean section under subarachnoid anaesthesia.

In this observational study, an alfentanil-containing patient controlled analgesia device was evaluated for the relief of visceral pain during elective caesarean section under subarachnoid anaesthesia. Forty healthy women at term received 2.5 mL of intrathecal hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine in the sitting position. Surgery began when loss of cold appreciation to the fourth thoracic dermatome was demonstrated. The patient controlled analgesia device was configured to deliver 3 microg.kg(-1) of alfentanil when first actuated. Each subsequent demand delivered 1.5 microg.kg(-1) with a 2-min lock-out interval. Sixty-five percent of women used alfentanil during surgery. The median (IQR) consumption of alfentanil was 360 (278-720) microg. Patient controlled analgesia is a useful method of supplementing subarachnoid anaesthesia for caesarean section. The technique is simple to use and in this group there were no troublesome side effects.

Comparison of 0.25% S(-)-bupivacaine with 0.25% RS-bupivacaine for epidural analgesia in labour.

We have compared the efficacy of 0.25% S(-)-bupivacaine with 0.25% RS-bupivacaine in providing epidural analgesia for labour in a randomized, multicentre, double-blind study. Analgesia was initiated with 10 ml of the study solution and maintained with 10-ml top-ups. We studied 137 women and treatments were found to be equivalent for onset, duration and quality of block. Median onset of pain relief was 12 min for both drugs and median duration was 49 (range 3-129) min and 51 (7-157) min for S(-)-bupivacaine and RS bupivacaine, respectively. The estimated treatment difference for duration of pain relief was -4 (90% CI -13, 6) min. Thirty patients failed to achieve pain relief after the first injection (20 patients after S(-)-bupivacaine and 10 after RS-bupivacaine; P = 0.039). However, median duration of pain relief from the first top-up was 82 (range 3-164) min for S(-)-bupivacaine and 76 (22-221) min for RS-bupivacaine. There were no significant differences in the quality of analgesia, as assessed by the investigators. There were no significant differences in the extent of sensory block, percentage of patients with motor block or incidence of adverse events.

Spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section: effect of Sprotte needle orientation.

We induced spinal anaesthesia in 100 women presenting for elective Caesarean section with the mother in the right lateral position. Patients were allocated randomly to have the side eye of the 24-gauge Sprotte spinal needle pointing in one of four directions: group A, cephalad; group B, right lateral; group C, left lateral; group D, caudad. Isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% (2.5 ml) was injected over 30 s before the mother was placed supine with a 15 degree left lateral tilt. Onset time and height of the subsequent analgesic and anaesthetic blocks were assessed by a blinded observer. Onset of sensory block to T4 was significantly faster in group A (P = 0.001). There were no differences in final block height, incidence of hypotension, nausea and vomiting or ephedrine requirements.

An audit cycle of blood ordering practice in a district maternity unit reduces unnecessary crossmatching.

We audited the appropriateness of blood ordering in our obstetric unit, by analysing the ratio of number of units of blood cross-matched to number transfused (C:T ratio), both overall and for specific indications. Based on this information, we devised a new blood ordering policy, and repeated the audit once this was in operation. The new policy resulted in a substantial increase in the efficiency of blood ordering. The overall C:T ratio fell from 10.9 to 3.0, and there were particularly large falls for caesarean section (from 34.3 to 6.2), high risk labours (from 67.8 to 9.1) and post-partum haemorrhage/retained placenta (from 4.3 to 1.9).

Epidural diamorphine. A comparison of bolus and infusion administration in labour.

In a randomly allocated double blind study of 54 primigravidae, we examined the relative efficacy of the addition of diamorphine 3 mg to either an initial bolus or an infusion of bupivacaine. Both groups received an initial bolus of 10 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% followed by an infusion of bupivacaine 0.1% at 10 ml.h-1. Group 1 received diamorphine 3 mg in the bolus and group 2 received diamorphine 3 mg in the initial 100 ml of infusion solution. Both groups had comparable total bupivacaine requirements. Analgesia, assessed by visual analogue scores, was superior at 7h in group 2, but was similar at all other times. Sedation scores were significantly lower in group 2 for the first 3h and the incidence of nausea was significantly lower in group 2. The addition of diamorphine, whether as a bolus or added to an infusion of bupivacaine, results in similar quality of analgesia, but there is a reduction in side effects when diamorphine is administered in an infusion.

Blood ordering practices in obstetric units in the United Kingdom.

A postal questionnaire on blood ordering practices and blood availability was sent to 89 randomly selected maternity units within the United Kingdom. The replies demonstrated a wide variation in crossmatching practices. Of those units that replied, 56% crossmatch for elective and 64% for emergency Caesarean section, 54% for manual removal of placenta, and 29% for fetal distress in labour. The remainder 'group and screen' for these indications. Lack of 24 h cover by a resident haematology technician, and location of blood banks distant to the obstetric unit were associated with significant delays in blood availability. More extensive use of the 'group and screen' technique may reduce unnecessary crossmatching without jeopardizing patient safety, and is advocated for maternity units.

Metastatic pain in the parturient: treatment with patient-controlled epidural sufentanil.

A 30-year-old primigravid woman presented at 28 weeks gestation with severe pain related to metastatic gastric carcinoma. Pain control was achieved with epidural sufentanil, administered via a patient-controlled analgesia pump, for 5 days, prior to caesarean delivery. Considerations in deciding the optimal therapeutic regime are discussed.

Efficacy of tracheal insufflation of oxygen during oleic acid-induced pulmonary edema.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether tracheal insufflation of oxygen (TRIO) might be useful in field resuscitation of casualties with lung dysfunction. DESIGN: Physiological measurements of cardiac and respiratory function were compared before and after oleic acid lung injury. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Beagles were studied in a laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: Oleic acid (0.06 mL/kg) was injected over four minutes into the central venous port of a pulmonary artery catheter. Measurements were made during 30 minutes of TRIO before and after acute lung injury. MEASUREMENTS: Hemodynamic and respiratory measurements, including intravascular pressures, heart rate, cardiac output, blood gases, respiratory system compliance, and O2 consumption were recorded during conventional mechanical ventilation and TRIO. RESULTS: Before acute lung injury, PaO2 (mean +/- SD) increased (P less than .05) from 96 +/- 7.4 (13 +/- 1.0 kPa) during conventional mechanical ventilation to 360 +/- 123 mm Hg (48 +/- 16.4 kPa) after TRIO. PaCO2 (mean +/- SD) increased (P less than .05) from 39.5 +/- 1.1 (5.3 +/- 0.1 kPa) to 102 +/- 27.4 mm Hg (13.6 +/- 3.6 kPa). Arterial and mixed venous pH values decreased in proportion to PCO2. After acute lung injury, compliance decreased. PAO2 decreased (P less than .05) to 58 +/- 8.4 mm Hg (7.7 +/- 1.1 kPa) during conventional mechanical ventilation and increased (P less than .05) to 84 +/- 19.6 mm Hg (11.2 +/- 2.6 kPa) after 30 minutes of TRIO. CONCLUSION: Despite poor gas exchange after acute lung injury, TRIO maintained adequate oxygenation and may be useful for emergency ventilation even when pulmonary edema complicates resuscitation.

Extradural methadone and bupivacaine in labour.

We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effects of extradural administration of methadone 5 mg or saline, followed by bupivacaine, in 42 women in early labour. Motor block and pain scores were significantly less in the methadone group. The requirement for bupivacaine also was reduced by methadone, but this was not statistically significant. There were no troublesome side effects attributable to methadone.

Cardiovascular instability following bolus dose of etomidate.

A patient with alveolar proteinosis developed unexpected cardiovascular instability after broncho-alveolar lavage. He had received two bolus doses of etomidate within an 18-hour period. Serum cortisol concentrations were low and hydrocortisone replacement therapy was necessary to restore arterial pressure. Implications for management of critically ill patients who receive bolus doses of etomidate are discussed.