Use a Two-Step Technique with Radiographic Confirmation when Placing a Feeding Tube Julius Cuong Pham MD Placement of a feeding tube is not without peril to the patient and requires…
Do not Dismiss Rib Fractures as Trivial and Consider an Epidural Catheter for Pain Control in Multiple Rib Fractures Bryan A. Cotton MD Rib fractures are the most common injury…
Be Meticulous when Dosing Bupivacaine in Patients with Both Epidural and Pleural Catheters Patricia M. Veloso MD Many patients being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after thoracic surgery…
Consider an Intravenous Naloxone Drip for Treatment of Pruritus Associated with Epidural Analgesia J. Gregory Hobelmann MD Continuous epidural analgesia can be beneficial for postoperative pain control. Perioperatively, it may…
Administer Epidural test Doses Rahul G. Baijal MD The spinal canal contains the spinal cord and its coverings (or meninges), fatty tissue, and the venous plexus. It extends from the…
Do Not Use Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Patients with Epidurals Awori J. Hayanga MD Elliott R. Haut MD Neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia (either by perioperative spinal or postoperative epidural catheter) has…
Consider Respiratory Variation on the Arterial-Line Monitor Tracing as a Sign of Hypovolemia James F. Weller MD During the inspiratory phase of spontaneous ventilation, negative intrathoracic pressure leads to augmentation…
Do not Place Femoral Arterial Lines or Venous Catheters Above the Inguinal Ligament or Below the Thigh Crease Susanna L. Matsen MD The majority of intensive care patients require arterial…
Do not use Cooling Blankets to Cool Iosifina Giannakikou MD A patient that “needs to be cooled” is not an infrequent occurrence in the intensive care unit (ICU). In order…
Know the Pacemaker Alphabet Soup Elizabeth A. Martinez MD, MHS Critically ill patients may require urgent or emergent pacing at any time during their hospital course. This may occur more…
