This episode delves into key findings in the literature, focusing on the nuances of neuromuscular blockade in pediatric patients and novel advancements in intubation techniques to enhance patient safety. We explore significant insights from recent studies that highlight age-related differences in recovery times from neuromuscular blockade and practical recommendations. We also discuss a novel flexible stylet for intubation and the implications of intravenous catheter design during emergency needle decompression.

Highlights include:

• Exploring age-based variability in neuromuscular recovery 
• Understanding the effects of volatile anesthetics on younger patients 
• Emphasizing the importance of quantitative monitoring in pediatrics 
• Introducing a new flexible intubation aid to enhance airway management 
• Discussing a case report on emergency needle thoracostomy 
• Practical recommendations for training to improve response in emergency situations

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/243-unlocking-insights-for-safer-anesthesia-key-findings-from-the-literature-and-a-case-report/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Feeling overwhelmed about staying up to date with the anesthesia literature? We hope you will check out the APSF's In The Literature section. This resource brings you straightforward summaries of recent high-impact articles related to anesthesia patient safety. This episode highlights crucial updates in the literature concerning diabetes management, the impact of fatigue on anesthesia professionals, research about GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the use of methadone for next-day discharge surgery. These insights aim to enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of anesthesia care.

• Updates on blood glucose management guidelines for diabetic patients 
• Findings on the relationship between fatigue and patient safety 
• The risks of aspiration in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists 
• Insights on using methadone for pain control in outpatient surgeries 
• Discussion on the implications of recent research for clinical practice

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/242-enhancing-anesthesia-patient-safety-literature-reviews-guidelines-and-recommendations/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

This episode discusses the implementation of ISO 80369-6 neuraxial connectors in Japan, analyzing the challenges faced and the implications for patient safety. The conversation highlights the importance of clinician involvement and the need for clear communication and trials during the transition to new medical standards.

• Overview of ISO 80369-6 and its significance in anesthesia care
• Challenges faced in Japan during the implementation of new connectors
• Historical context of the LOR connector and its risks
• Importance of clinician involvement in product testing and standard formulation
• Call for vigilance and advocacy among anesthesia professionals for patient safety when creating new medical devices and setting new standards

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/241-the-impact-of-iso-80369-6-neuraxial-connectors-patient-safety-challenges-and-opportunities/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

The episode explores the challenges and lessons learned from Japan's recent implementation of ISO 80369-6 standards in anesthesia practices, highlighting the critical importance of clinician involvement in developing safety protocols. We discuss the historical context, issues with communication, and various complications arising from the transition to new safety standards.

• Importance of ISO standards in enhancing patient safety
• Role of clinician input in developing safety protocols
• Japan's experience with the implementation of ISO 80369-6
• Historical context of neuraxial connection standards
• Issues arising from lack of communication during transitions
• Challenges faced by healthcare professionals adjusting to new standards
• Support structures needed for effective standards implementation
• Lessons learned for global anesthesia practices regarding ISO standards

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/240-enhancing-international-anesthesia-patient-safety-insights-on-iso-standards/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Unlock the potential to save lives with our exciting discussion on the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation's Technology Education Initiative course. Featuring Dr. Michael Kazior, an esteemed anesthesiologist and intensivist, we spotlight the crucial skills of manual external defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing. Dr. Kazior shares his personal journey and highlights the stark educational gaps in defibrillator usage among anesthesia professionals. This course, born from the collaboration between the APSF and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, promises an interactive learning experience that aims to bolster confidence and competence in using these vital life-saving devices. Additionally, this course is a robust addition to the APSF's suite of courses, including those on low-flow anesthesia and quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, all designed to equip anesthesia professionals with comprehensive knowledge of essential technologies.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/239-enhancing-defibrillation-skills-the-apsfs-technology-education-initiative/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Can we significantly reduce pediatric medication errors in anesthesia care? This podcast episode explores the urgent need to address medication errors in pediatric anesthesia, highlighting effective strategies to improve patient safety. We discuss the implementation of tools such as the Anesthesia Medication Template, pre-filled syringes, and barcode scanning systems, as well as insights from experts on enhancing current practices.

• Examination of medication error statistics in pediatric anesthesia
• Discussion of the Anesthesia Medication Template (AMT) and its benefits
• Overview of pre-filled syringes as a safety measure
• Insights on challenges with pre-filled syringes
• Evaluation of barcode scanning systems and their impact on safety
• Expert opinions on future trends in medication safety
• Emphasis on proactive strategies to prevent medication errors

For healthcare professionals focused on refining patient safety, this episode is packed with practical insights and data-driven recommendations that could revolutionize your approach to pediatric care.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/238-solutions-to-reduce-pediatric-medication-errors-during-anesthesia-care/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Unlock the secrets of preventing pediatric perioperative medication errors with insights from our esteemed guests, Eva Lu-Boettcher and Rahul Koka. Pediatric patients face unique challenges due to variations in body weight and dosing calculations, making them particularly vulnerable to medication errors. Join us as we explore the discrepancies between self-reported and observed error rates and gain a deeper understanding of the workflow vulnerabilities anesthesia professionals encounter. We also share findings from the Wake Up Safe Collaborative, revealing the administration phase as the most error-prone and illustrating how preventative and mitigative barriers can effectively manage risks through a bowtie analysis.

Our commitment to enhancing patient safety doesn't end there. Discover the APSF Technology Education Initiatives, designed to equip anesthesia professionals with vital knowledge for safe practice. We highlight the Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring course, aligned with the ASA 2023 Practice Guidelines, as well as the importance of staying informed through courses on Low Flow Anesthesia and the upcoming Manual External Defibrillation, Cardioversion, and Pacing course. Our mission is to ensure that no one is harmed by anesthesia care, and this episode provides essential education and insights that every professional should incorporate into their practice.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/237-preventing-pediatric-medication-errors/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

What if a simple change in routine could save lives in the operating room? Join us as we explore this possibility with Jonathan Charnin, who shares his expertise and passion for improving hand hygiene practices in anesthesia. Hand hygiene may seem like a small detail, but it plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of pathogens and reducing surgical site infections.

We'll unravel the complexities behind implementing effective hand hygiene protocols and discuss the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. Discover the startling truth about how many hand hygiene events should occur during a routine anesthetic (hint: the answer is 8 times every hour). This episode promises to enrich your knowledge and commitment to patient care, as we highlight how meticulous attention to hand hygiene and environmental contamination can drastically improve outcomes in the perioperative setting.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/236-revolutionizing-hand-hygiene-in-anesthesia-a-path-to-safer-surgeries/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Join us on a fascinating exploration with Alli Bechtel, a dedicated anesthesiologist and the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast host, who reveals the surprising journey from the United States to New Zealand in pursuit of a better work-life balance. Bechtel shares her unique insights into the supportive healthcare environment she found across the globe and the role of teamwork in ensuring patient safety in anesthesia. Her story provides a meaningful look at the personal and professional transitions involved in moving to a new country and how a close-knit hospital community can enhance medical practice.

Discover the evolution of anesthesia patient safety initiatives and the pivotal contributions of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF). Having joined the APSF during the pandemic, Alli recounts her path to becoming the host of their podcast, highlighting the foundation's dynamic shift from newsletters to engaging audio content. We discuss the APSF's commitment to collaboration and their comprehensive resources aimed at reducing errors and improving safety practices, sharing examples from recent publications that underscore the need for systemic solutions in anesthesia care.

This episode is a compelling blend of personal narrative, professional insight, and pioneering education strategies aimed at shaping the future of anesthesia practice.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/235-fresh-flow-podcast-takeover-advancing-patient-safety-from-a-to-n-to-zed/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

What does it take to stay prepared for a rare but potentially life-threatening anesthesia complication like malignant hyperthermia (MH)? Join us as Dr. Henry Rosenberg, a trailblazer in the field and founder of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States, shares his insights on the evolution of MH diagnosis and management. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of the transition from traditional muscle biopsy contracture tests to cutting-edge DNA diagnostic methods.

Preparedness and vigilance are key themes as we explore the responsibilities of anesthesia professionals in ensuring patient safety for those susceptible to MH. We delve into the necessity of genetic counseling and multidisciplinary follow-up care, including consultations with geneticists and neurologists, to identify potential underlying conditions. Even if you never encounter a case of malignant hyperthermia in your career, understanding these strategies equips you to handle the unexpected. As we wrap up our discussions for 2024, we invite you to continue supporting our mission by sharing this knowledge-rich episode and leaving a five-star review. Your feedback drives our commitment to delivering valuable content on anesthesia patient safety.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/234-malignant-hyperthermia-preparedness-insights-and-updates/

© 2024, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation