Authors: Christopher H. Stucky, PhD, RN, CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB, NEA-BC, FAAN, J. Michael Hartmann, DNP, RN, CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB, RNFA, Young J. Yauger, PhD, RN, CRNA, Kenneth J. Romito, DNP, RN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CNOR, CSSM, David F. Bradley, DNP, RN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CNOR, Gaston Baza, DNP, RN, CNOR, Megan E. Lorenz, DNP, RN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, AGACNP-BC, RN-BC, Sherita L. House, PhD, RN, CCRN, Rebeccah A. Dindinger, DNP, RN, RNC-OB, IBCLC, Joshua A. Wymer, DNP, RN, CNOR, RN-BC, NEA-BC, CHCIO, CDH-E, FACHE, FAAN, Melissa J. Miller, PhD, RN, CNOR, Albert R. Knight, DNP, RN, CNS-CP, CNOR
Adverse surgical events cause negative patient health outcomes and harm that can often overshadow the safe and effective patient care provided daily by nurses as members of interprofessional healthcare teams. Near misses occur far more frequently than adverse events and are less visible to nurse leaders because patient harm is avoided due to chance, prevention, or mitigation. However, near misses have comparable root causes to adverse events and exhibit the same underlying patterns of failure. Reviewing near misses provides nurses with learning opportunities to identify patient care weaknesses and build appropriate solutions to enhance care. As the operating room is one of the most complex work settings in healthcare, identifying potential weaknesses or sources for errors is vital to reduce healthcare-associated risks for patients and staff. The purpose of this manuscript is to educate, inform, and stimulate critical thinking by discussing perioperative near miss case studies and the underlying factors that lead to errors. Our authors discuss 15 near miss case studies occurring across the perioperative patient experience of care and discuss barriers to near miss reporting. Nurse leaders can use our case studies to stimulate discussion among perioperative and perianesthesia nurses in their hospitals to inform comprehensive risk reduction programs.

Authors: Geeta kamal, MDa, Swetha Rudravarama, Shilpa Agarwal, MDa, Anju Gupta, MD, DNB, IDRA, EDRA
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an immune response inciting multiorgan dysfunction and a shock-like state which is typically seen in children 2 to 6 weeks after either a coronavirus disease-19 infection or exposure. When such a child comes for any surgery, perioperative anesthetic management demands multidisciplinary involvement and individualized case-based decision-making. Due to the novelty of the condition, there are limited data on anesthetic implications in these patients. Anesthetic management in the affected children is dynamic depending on the organ systems involved and the progression of the disease state. Though the long-term effects of the syndrome are largely unknown, we hope that awareness of the MIS-C-associated complications may help anesthesiologists involved in childcare. Herein, we put forward challenges and clinical dilemmas we faced during the anesthetic management of three children with MIS-C presenting for emergency and elective surgery.

Authors: Lisa Allison Herbinger, DNP, CRNA
The use of opioid-sparing and opioid-free strategies in children can provide adequate analgesia while decreasing the risk of adverse events and contributing to the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis. However, every child must be evaluated individually so that a safe and efficacious perioperative pain management plan can be created. A working knowledge of the risks and benefits of opioids, nonopioid adjuncts, and regional anesthesia along with the ethical considerations for balancing stewardship and beneficent care is essential to the success of these strategies. As perioperative practitioners caring for children, we have an obligation to consider opioid-sparing and opioid-free strategies to promote overall best outcomes. We can make a difference, one child at a time.

Authors: Melissa Harrington, BSN, RN, Erika Busz, MSN, RN, CPN, Amber Thor, BSN, RN, M. Katie Gardner, BSN, RN, Kristen Carlin, MPH, Elaine Walsh, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to develop and implement an assessment tool to identify a patient’s specific needs due to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The use of an individualized plan of care related to sensory and behavioral differences correlates with improved experiences in the perioperative setting for patients with ASD.
Design: Mixed methods, pre-post survey, retrospective data comparison.
Methods: Metrics planned to evaluate intervention outcomes included: (1) Comparison of pre and postsurvey data obtained from perioperative staff members following ASD education, (2) Evaluation of the number of behavior response team calls made compared to retrospective data, and (3) Survey response data from families assessing the perceived experience of perioperative stay.
Findings: Two hundred and fifty staff members responded to the learning needs survey; 164 in the preperiod and 86 in the postperiod. The perioperative process for these patients improved from the pre- to the postperiod in its ability to meet the needs of patients with autism (P < .001). Overall, respondents rated the sensory aids and the behavioral and sensory assessment tool as very useful (Median = 5, IQR = 2) and stated that they are likely to continue to use the tools in the future when caring for patients with autism (Median = 5, IQR = 1).
Conclusions: The caregivers of study patients felt they had a high level of satisfaction with their surgery or procedure experience. Health care providers also reported increased confidence working with individuals with ASD in the perioperative environment and satisfaction with the intervention program.

Authors: Ahmed Uslu, MD, Begüm N. Gökdemir, MD, Nedim Çekmen, PhD, Zeynep Ersoy, PhD
Purpose: In the perioperative period, fractional-inspired oxygen is used at values up to 80% to stay within the safe range, even for a short time. A clear value for the safe range has not been specified, and therefore, clinicians prefer a high oxygen value. This study aims to reduce unnecessary oxygen exposure in pediatrice patients and to provide the optimum fractional inspired oxygen value.
Design: The study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled study, including 139 patients aged 1 to 8 years without comorbidity.
Methods: Three groups were formed by adjusting the fractional inspired oxygen to 30%, 50%, or 80% intraoperatively. In the intraoperative period, a strict inspired oxygen protocol (hypoxemia threshold was SpO2 < 90) and oxygen reserve index, fractional expired oxygen value, and peripheral oxygen saturation were used to maintain the balance of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia.
Findings: One hundred and nine children were included. The mean oxygen reserve index was significantly lower in the 30% group than in the other groups (0.09 ± 0.05, P < .0001). The mean arterial pressure in the 30% group was significantly lower than the 80% group but within the normal range (78 ± 6 mmHg, P < .003). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding delirium and pain in the recovery unit.
Conclusions: Due to the known and unknown harmful effects of unnecessary oxygen exposure, it may be time to use optimal oxygen and to fear unnecessary oxygen, not less oxygen. As the next step, we think studies should be conducted with patient groups with lower oxygen concentrations (eg, %21 vs %24 vs %30), more patients, and arterial blood gas monitoring.

Authors: Azucena Becerra, DNP, CRNA, Michael Liu, DNP, CRNA, Molly Ronan, DNP, CRNA, Sarah E. Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, Rui Yan, MS, Sadeeka Al-Majid, PhD, RN, FAAN

Purpose: Perioperative vision loss (POVL) is a rare and devastating complication following prone spine surgery. Due to the rare nature of this complication, there is limited research available about patient and surgical risk factors that increase the risk of POVL. The objective of this study was to investigate associated risk factors for POVL with use of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.
Design: This study used a case-control secondary data analysis methodology that included five cases of POVL and 250 controls from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who all underwent prone spine surgery between 2010 and 2020.
Methods: Each POVL case was matched to 50 randomly selected controls (n = 250) based on type and year of surgery. Demographics and variables of interest were compared among the POVL cases, among POVL cases and the aggregate control group (n = 250), and POVL cases against their matched control group. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression were then used to estimate the odds of developing POVL in relation to potential patient and surgical risk factors.
Findings: When POVL cases were compared to the 250 control cases using univariate analysis, patients who developed POVL were more likely to have received a blood transfusion within 72 hours of surgery (P < .0001). and have longer operative times (odds ratio = 1.01, 95% CI [1.003, 1.017], P = .003).
Conclusions: Two surgical risk factors were determined to be statistically significant, including the need for perioperative blood transfusion and prolonged operative time. These findings support previous research on POVL which often identified blood loss and prolonged operative times as surgical risk factors. The narrow patient population used in this project may have limited the ability to perform a more robust study on POVL. Therefore, further research on POVL using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database is strongly encouraged.

Authors: Suki Ismet, MD, MMED, Muhamad Rafiqi Hehsan, MBBCh, MMED

Argininemia is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of arginase, a vital enzyme in the urea cycle. This metabolic defect results in the accumulation of arginine and its metabolites, leading to hyperammonemia and associated neurological symptoms. We present a case detailing the perioperative management of an 11-year-old male child diagnosed with argininemia undergoing circumcision. The perioperative management of patients with argininemia presents unique challenges due to the risk of hyperammonemia and neurological decompensation triggered by physiological stress, fasting, and the catabolic state associated with surgery. This case report highlights the importance of individualized anesthetic strategies for patients with rare metabolic disorders like argininemia. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among anesthesiologists, endocrinologists, dietitians, and surgeons is essential to ensuring a safe perioperative experience for these patients. Further research is essential to refine perioperative protocols and optimal anesthetic interventions for individuals with argininemia undergoing surgical procedures.

Authors: Shelby L. Wallen, BS, BSN, RN, Tony V. Paul, MS, BSN, RN, Tito D. Tubog, PhD, DNAP, CRNA

Purpose: Examine the effectiveness of using intracuff lidocaine to minimize postoperative complications.
Design: Systematic review.
Methods: This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines. PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and gray literature databases were searched to obtain eligible studies and minimize selection bias. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model was used to appraise the level of evidence for the varying studies. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and systematic reviews with meta-analyses of RCTs were included in the review.
Findings: Three RCTs and three systematic reviews with meta-analyses incorporating a total of 2,337 patients were included in this review. Intracuff lidocaine (alkalinized and nonalkalinized) had the lowest incidence of postoperative sore throat in the early and late postoperative periods compared to intracuff air or intracuff saline. Furthermore, the evidence suggested that the use of intracuff lidocaine reduced postextubation cough and the incidence of hoarseness but had little or no effect on dysphagia. All studies were Level 1 and Grade A, indicating clinically solid evidence in analyzing intracuff lidocaine’s effect on all outcomes measured.
Conclusions: The current literature suggests the feasibility of using intracuff lidocaine as an effective method to reduce the incidence of postoperative sore throat, postextubation cough, and hoarseness. The implications to practice include improving the norm of postoperative throat mucosal injuries by implementing an evidence-based practice intervention of intracuff lidocaine.

Authors: Alicia White, BSN, RN, CAPA, Cia Rougeau, BSN, RN, CAPA, Tabatha Gilbert, BSN, RN, CPAN, Elaine Hughes, BSN, RN, CAPA

Purpose: Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a low-frequency, high-risk event that can occur within minutes of a patient receiving a local anesthetic. The goals of this project were to standardize LAST care management across an academic medical center and sustain an improvement in nurses’ knowledge of how to recognize signs and symptoms of LAST and how to competently manage a LAST scenario.
Design: We used a quantitative design to accomplish the goals of the project.
Methods: Our interdisciplinary team developed a clinical practice guideline based on the LAST Checklist published by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and used a simulation scaffolded by multimodal education and system changes to ensure sustained knowledge. We measured improvement using a graded knowledge assessment as well as qualitative feedback.
Findings: Scores on the assessment increased from 4.76 to 6.34 (out of seven points) following the intervention and remained significantly higher than the baseline 9 months after the educational intervention (9-month score = 6.19, t = 2.99, P = .004). Nurses reported feeling more confident and knowledgeable following the intervention and requested to have regular sessions of the simulation. To sustain improvements, we developed a computer-based learning module. The module and simulation were integrated into nursing orientation and an annual competency.
Conclusions: While standardizing LAST care in accordance with evidence-based guidance is critical to patient safety due to its infrequent occurrence, nurses should consider implementing simulation supplemented with multimodal education and system changes to ensure sustained knowledge

Authors: Qing Li, BSN, MPH, RN, Ting Liu, BSN, RN, Xiaoxu Chen, BSN, R

This case report discusses medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs) caused by eye taping during an emergency open reduction internal fixation surgery under general anesthesia. The presented case involves a 72-year-old woman with a proximal humeral fracture, where 3M Transpore adhesive tape caused blisters on both eyelids. This tape is an acrylic-based medical adhesive and is commonly used to keep eyelids closed during general anesthesia. MARSIs can largely be prevented through evidence-based clinical guidance. Enhancing awareness of MARSIs among anesthesia providers and perianesthesia nurses is crucial to prevent and manage such injuries effectively.