Debate Over Who Should Be Allowed to Administer Anesthesia Moves to Courts - NYTimes.com

Debate Over Who Should Be Allowed to Administer Anesthesia Moves to Courts - NYTimes.com

Canadian Medical Association Journal: Consent requirements for pelvic examinations performed for training purposes

Blogger's Note: to read full article subscription required ($$$), see blog for numerous past posts on this (significant) womens' health issue

Canadian Medical Association Journal

ANALYSIS

Consent requirements for pelvic examinations performed for training purposes

March 26, 2012
 
In 2010, Canada’s two obstetrics and gynecology associations updated the policy statement concerning pelvic examinations performed on women under anesthesia. The previous guideline applied to medical students and residents, whereas the new one applies to medical students only. According to Gibson and Downie, pelvic examinations performed for training purposes presumably constitute a battery in law, subject to defence of consent. They argue that either the statement needs to be revised to include residents or a new statement specific to residents needs to be drafted.  Full article  (requires subscripiton $$$)

abstract: Intraoperative Neuraxial Anesthesia But Not Postoperative Neuraxial Analgesia Is Associated With Increased Relapse-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients After Primary Cytoreductive Surgery

Abstract

Objectives:  

Regional anesthesia has been shown to blunt the response to surgical stress and decrease the use of volatile anesthetics and the consumption of opioids, which may reduce immune compromise and potentially delay tumor recurrence. The goal of this study was to find a possible association between intraoperative regional anesthesia and decreased cancer recurrence.

Conclusions: 

Intraoperative use of epidural anesthesia was associated with an increased time to tumor recurrence after surgery in ovarian cancer patients. This may be a result of preservation of the immune system function.

Teacher – Learner Contract Gynecologic Surgery Block

Note: question #5 - page 3 (exam while patient under anesthesia)

Patients’ attitudes towards the involvement of medical students during induction of regional anesthesia

Medical News: Anesthesia Given by Nurses Found Safe - in Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology from MedPage Today

The analysis -- funded by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists -- looked at what happened after Medicare allowed opting out in 2001.

The study was financed by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
The authors did not report any potential conflicts but declared themselves to be "wholly responsible for the data, analyses, and conclusions."

Comment regarding Pelvic Exams while under Anesthesia

My comment: While Lynn's abstract is interesting, it is noteworthy again that these are not new issues as per the included references. I would disagree that further research is required. A root cause analysis is not going to add anything further to what has already been demonstrated. It is now a matter of policy.

“Come here. I want you to feel a normal rectum. Do it.”