Search results for "anesthesiology"
showing 10 items of 1218 documents
Patients' and relatives' perceptions about intravenous and subcutaneous hydration.
2005
Hydration during palliative care is a controversial topic. Most of the arguments are based on anedoctal reports that have not been substantiated with scientific data. Given that the choice is problematic from a clinical perspective, preferences of patients and family should dictate whether intravenous fluids are administered. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and family perceptions about hydration and two modes of providing hydration. Fifty-four consecutive patients admitted to an acute pain relief and palliative care unit who required hydration completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions on hydration and modes of hydration. Similarly, the principal family carer was ch…
Are Repeated Self-Reports of Psychological Variables Feasible for Patients Near the End of Life at a Palliative Care Unit?
2018
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurement is crucial to assess the benefit of psychotherapeutic interventions. Is repeated assessment of psychometric self-report data possible, as inpatient palliative care patients suffer from physical and psychological symptoms? What is the self-perceived strain caused by the assessment? Objective The main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a repeated comprehensive psychometric self-assessment of inpatient palliative care patients. Secondary objectives were the PROs of the psychometric assessment.We conducted a prospective cohort study. Patients admitted to our palliative care unit (PCU) were reviewed for eligibility within 72 h…
Validation of the German Version of the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire for Informal Caregivers (QODD-D-Ang).
2015
Abstract Context The quality of dying and death (QOD) influences end-of-life care for patients and their relatives. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no validated standard instruments for evaluating the QOD of patients in palliative care units (PCUs) in Germany. Objectives This study aimed to validate the German version of the multidimensional questionnaire "Quality of Dying and Death" for informal caregivers (QODD-Deutsch-Angehorige [QODD-D-Ang]) and provide a detailed report on its validity and reliability. Methods The QODD was forward/backward translated following the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines. Data collected in two German palli…
Dying in Germany--unfulfilled needs of relatives in different care settings.
2012
Abstract Context The integration of family members in the dying process and the recognition of their special needs are important factors for the development of high-quality palliative care. Objectives This study aimed to explore important needs and personal experiences of relatives at the end of life, and to detect differences in these needs and experiences for various care settings. Methods Our cross-sectional survey was based on a random sampling of 5000 inhabitants of Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) who died between May 25 and August 24, 2008. Relatives of these randomly drawn deceased persons were interviewed by a written survey. Results A total of 1378 questionnaires were completed (res…
Retracted: Do patients profit from physostigmine in recovery from desflurane anaesthesia?
2007
Background: Physostigmine is the drug of choice in the central anticholinergic syndrome, but has also been used in post-operative mental derangement secondary to sedatives and volatile anaesthetics. The aim of this double-blind, randomized, prospective study was to determine whether physostigmine alters recovery after desflurane anaesthesia. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing urologic or surgical procedures were enrolled to receive either NaCl 0.9% (n= 50) or 2 mg of physostigmine (n= 50) at the end of general anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl, cisatracurium and desflurane. Times to extubation, stating name, birthday and place of residence, and obeying commands such as eye opening…
A comparison of lateral popliteal versus lateral midfemoral sciatic nerve blockade using ropivacaine 0.5%
2004
The midfemoral approach to the sciatic nerve (MF) is a new technique that has been used for postoperative analgesia after knee surgery. The aim of the present study was to compare efficacy, performance time, and patient acceptance of the midfemoral approach to that of the lateral approach at the level of the popliteal fossa (popliteal block [PB]).Sixty-three patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Thirty-two patients received a lateral sciatic nerve block (group PB) and 31 patients a midfemoral block (group MF). Ropivacaine 0.5% (30 mL) was used in both groups.The quality of nerve blockade was comparable in both groups. Onset of sensory block for peroneal and tibial ne…
Assessing preoperative anxiety using a questionnaire and clinical rating
2013
Background Preoperative anxiety and need for information can be detected during preoperative consultation via structured and standardised screening by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaire. Objective To identify the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and need for information, with regard to influencing factors such as age, sex, previous operation and grade of surgery, and to examine the level of agreement between patients' self-rating and physicians' ratings. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Department of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. Patients Two hundred seventeen patie…
A Randomized-Controlled Study of Intrathecal Versus Epidural Thoracic Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Cancer Surgery
2008
Background. We sought to determine the effectiveness of continuous intrathecal thoracic analgesia (ITA) in comparison with continuous epidural thoracic analgesia (ETA) for the management of postoperative pain after abdominal cancer surgery in a randomised controlled study. Materials and methods. Catheters were inserted at T8-10 level for both techniques. Sixty patients were randomized to receive ITA providing levobupivacaine 0.25%, at 0.5-0-7 ml/h, associated with a single bolus of morphine 0.15 mg, or ETA with levobupivacaine 0.25% 4-6 ml/h and a single bolus of epidural morphine 2-3 mg. Data were collected before discharging from recovery room to the surgical ward, 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 24 h, a…
Hemisensory disturbances in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.
2018
Sensory disturbances often spread beyond the site of injury in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) but whether this applies equally to CRPS I and II, or changes across the course of the disease, is unknown. Establishing this is important, because different symptom profiles in CRPS I and II, or in acute vs chronic CRPS, might infer different pathophysiology and treatment approaches. To explore these questions, sensory disturbances were assessed in the limbs and forehead of 71 patients with CRPS I and 33 patients with CRPS II. Pain had persisted up to 12 months in 32 patients, for 13 to 36 months in 29 patients, and for longer than this in 43 patients. Patients with CRPS I were more likely …
How patient families are provided with information during intensive care: A survey of practices
2016
Abstract Background Many critically ill patients are incapable of receiving information or expressing their own opinion on treatment decisions due to the severity of their disease, or because they are under sedation. French legislation requires that when a physician proposes further tests or treatment for a patient, this proposal should be accompanied by clear and honest information that is appropriate in view of the circumstances and the patient's state of health, and the physician must obtain the patient's consent before proceeding. However, this is often impossible in critical care. We evaluated whether provisions for surrogates are adequate in meeting information needs of patients and f…