Spinal Pathologies in Obstetric Anesthesia: Neuraxial Risk Assessment and Decision-Making with Tural Alakbarli, MD, MSc, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Drs. Tong J. Gan and Duminda Wijeysundera discuss the article “Intraoperative Hypotension in Patients Having Major Noncardiac Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Systematic Review of Blood Pressure Optimization Strategies” published in the July 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Thomas Hemmerling and Arman Valadkhani discuss the article “Diastolic Versus Systolic or Mean Intraoperative Hypotension as Predictive of Perioperative Myocardial Injury in a White-Box Machine-Learning Model” published in the July 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Listen as Dr. Elizabeth Malinzak, APSF Liaison to the OpenAnesthesia Editorial Board, is interviewed by Dr. Alli Bechtel of the APSF, our content collaborator and section affiliate. See original podcast here: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/260-openanesthesia-and-the-apsf-achieving-safe-and-quality-anesthesia-care-with-education-innovation/

Show Notes:
Welcome to the next installment of the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast hosted by Alli Bechtel.  This podcast will be an exciting journey towards improved anesthesia patient safety.

Dr. Elizabeth Malinzak takes us behind the scenes of a fascinating educational initiative bridging knowledge gaps in anesthesiology. As a pediatric anesthesiologist at Duke University and liaison between the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation and Open Anesthesia, she’s spearheaded the development of over 30 patient safety and quality improvement summaries designed for today’s learners.

Malinzak reflects on crucial topics like crisis resource management, fatigue mitigation, and handover protocols that weren’t part of traditional training. This educational void inspired her to create accessible, concise resources that meet modern learning preferences. Gone are the days of textbook deep-dives; today’s professionals need searchable, digestible content they can absorb between cases or during brief study sessions.

What makes these summaries particularly valuable is their breadth and collaborative development. Each summary is peer-reviewed and often created through mentoring relationships between experienced clinicians and trainees, creating educational value beyond the finished product.

Malinzak offers a clarifying perspective on how quality improvement relates to patient safety: “Patient safety is the goal… That’s what we want to accomplish with every single patient. Quality improvement is the process… how we get to the goal.” As anesthesiologists face increasingly complex cases and efficiency pressures, this distinction helps practitioners develop systematic approaches to protect vulnerable patients. Looking ahead, she envisions technologies like AI reducing administrative burdens so clinicians can focus entirely on vigilant patient care. Discover these valuable resources by visiting Open Anesthesia’s website and filtering for patient safety topics – you never know which summary might teach you something new today.

We hope that you will check out OpenAnesthesia.org and the OA Summaries.

https://www.openanesthesia.org/about-oa/

https://www.openanesthesia.org/keywords/

This episode was edited and produced by Mike Chan.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AnesthesiaPatientSafety

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© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Medical Safety Principles with Tyler P. Morrissey, MD and Megan Nash, DO

Author: Eric R. Heinz, MD, PhD, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Section Editor: Yuriy Bronshteyn

Drs. Edward Nemergut, John Mitchell and Thomas Caruso discuss the article “Pro-Con Debate: Virtual Reality Compared to Augmented Reality for Medical Simulation” published in the June 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Edward Nemergut and Samuel Blacker discuss the article “An Exploratory Analysis of ChatGPT Compared to Human Performance With the Anesthesiology Oral Board Examination: Initial Insights and Implications” published in the June 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Transitioning to Inclusivity in OB Anesthesia with Hilary MacCormick, MD, FRCPC and James Damron, MD

This file is too large so it can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/1088241795

When Mistakes Happen: Error Reporting and Breaking Bad News with Casey Quinlan, MD; Matthew Goodmanson, MD; and Katherine R. Gentry, MD, MA

Conflict Management and Resolution with Destiny F. Chau MD, FAAP, MSLOD, ACC

Conflict Management and Resolution with Destiny F. Chau MD, FAAP, MSLOD, ACC

Five Tips for Managing the Pediatric Difficult Airway with Jina Sinskey, MD, FASA

Approaches to the Thoracic Paravertebral Block with Dr. Melody Anderson (Herman)

Parasternal Blocks: Superficial and Deep Approaches with Dr. Melody Anderson (Herman)

Drs. Karsten Bartels and Clark Fisher discuss the article “Opioid Dose Variation in Cardiac Surgery: A Multicenter Study of Practice” published in the May 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Girish Joshi, Nikolas Georgakis and Daniel Arango discuss the article “Risk of Acute Complications with Rocuronium versus Cisatracurium in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Propensity-Matched Study” published in the May 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Lung Ultrasound with Drs. Yuriy Bronshteyn, Diana Hsu, Ashley Vincent, and Sophia Dunworth

The Brain in Pregnancy: Eclampsia with Anna G. Euser, MD, PhD

Patient Advocacy in the Hospital and Society, with Ashlee Murray, MD, MPH 

Gastric Ultrasound, Part 3 of 3 with Mitchell Fuller, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; and Ying Hui Low, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

Apologies! We forgot to upload this episode last year.

Gastric Ultrasound, Part 2 of 3 with Mitchell Fuller, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; and Ying Hui Low, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

Apologies! We forgot to upload this episode last year.

Gastric Ultrasound, Part 1 of 3 with Mitchell Fuller, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; and Ying Hui Low, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

Apologies! We forgot to upload this episode last year.

Gastric Ultrasound in the Setting of GLP1 Use, Part 3 of 3 with Henry Lather, MD, Duke University, Durham, NC; and Yuriy Bronshteyn, MD, FASE, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC

Apologies! We forgot to upload this part of March 2024 episode last year. Parts 1 and 2 are here: 

https://sites.libsyn.com/45403/march-2024-pocus-case-of-the-month-part-1-of-3

https://sites.libsyn.com/45403/march-2024-pocus-case-of-the-month-part-2-of-3

Feedback in the Clinical Setting with Jamie Rubin, MD

Drs. Vijaya Gottumukkala and Nicholas Perry discuss the article “Cancer Biology and the Perioperative Period: Opportunities for Disease Evolution and Challenges for Perioperative Care” published in the April 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Tong J. Gan and Julie M. Mani discuss the article “Examining the Impact of the Human Microbiome in the Perioperative Setting” published in the April 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Obesity & Anesthesia with Jamey E. Eklund, MD, DABOM

Vodcast Series: Professional Development

QI Methodology with Rajeev Iyer, MBBS, MD, MS, FASA, Children's Hospital Philadelphia

Introduction to Lung Ultrasound with Dr. Yuriy Bronshteyn 

Drs. Shannon Farmer, Wei Pan and Thomas Powell discuss the article “Direct Reinfusion of Unwashed Shed Autologous Blood During Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Retrospective Analysis” published in the March 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. James DiNardo and Priti Dalal discuss the article “Reviewing “Nil Per Os” Guidance for Clear Fluids in Children Before Anesthesia: Survey of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council” published in the March 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Understanding Trauma: The Effect on Our Patients and Us with Jaime Daly, MD

View the full article on Anesthesia & Analgesia here: https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2024/10000/the_use_of_ultrasound_in_airway_management__video.28.aspx

Drs. Narasimhan Jagannathan and Yandong Jiang discuss the article “Effectiveness of Ventilation via an Endotracheal Tube in Pharynx Versus a Facemask in Patients With Potentially Difficult Airway: A Randomized, Crossover, and Blind Trial” published in the February 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Narasimhan Jagannathan and Denise Battaglini discuss the article “The Future of Artificial Intelligence Using Images and Clinical Assessment for Difficult Airway Management” published in the February 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Intermediate Cervical Plexus with Melody Herman, MD

Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Block with Melody Herman, MD

Drs. Zeev Kain and Jonathan Gal discuss the article “Scoping Review: Anesthesiologist Involvement in Alternative Payment Models, Value Measurement, and Nonclinical Capabilities for Success in the United States of America” published in the January 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Girish Joshi and Troy Wildes discuss the article “Perioperative Care of Patients Using Wearable Diabetes Devices” published in the January 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Title: Association of Neighborhood Opportunity With Pediatric Day of Surgery Cancellations

Dr. Brittany Willer discusses her paper, “Association of Neighborhood Opportunity, Race, and Ethnicity with Pediatric Day-of-surgery Cancellations,” that was recently published in Anesthesiology. The full text of her paper can be found at the following link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38787688/

Dr. Ellen Richter, Associate Editor of the Cardiac Anesthesia Section of Open Anesthesia, chats with Dr. Daniel Viox, MD about everything you need to know about cardiopulmonary bypass. 

Drs. Jill Mhyre and Paul Potnuru discuss the article “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Epidural Blood Patch Utilization Among Obstetric Patients in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis, 2016–2020” published in the December 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Jill Mhyre and Kelly Fedoruk discuss the article “Obstetric Anesthesia Quality Metrics: Performance, Pitfalls, and Potential” published in the December 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Dr. Ellen Richter, Associate Editor of the Cardiac Anesthesia Section of Open Anesthesia, chats with Dr. Daniel Viox, MD about everything you need to know about cardiopulmonary bypass. Part 2 to follow the first week of December 2024.

Adrenal Insufficiency for the Pediatric Anesthesiologist with Melinda Pierce, MD, MCR

Adrenal Insufficiency for the Pediatric Anesthesiologist with Melinda Pierce, MD, MCR

Pain During Cesarean Delivery with Mark Zakowski, MD, FASA, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA

Drs. Olubukola Nafiu and Ruth Landau discuss the article “Racial and Ethnic Concordance Between the Patient and Anesthesia Team and Patients’ Satisfaction With Pain Management During Cesarean Delivery” published in the November 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Olubukola Nafiu and Cecilia Canales discuss the article “A Prospective Observational Cohort Study of Language Preference and Preoperative Cognitive Screening in Older Adults: Do Language Disparities Exist in Cognitive Screening and Does the Association Between Test Results and Postoperative Delirium Differ Based on Language Preference?” published in the November 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Fixing the Broken Pipeline: How Assessment Bias Affects Trainees with Allison Mitchell, MD

Title:  Health Equity Curriculum for Anesthesia Residents

OA Global Health Equity Section Editor Sam Percy interviews OA Global Health Equity Associate Section Editor Betelehem Asnake about her background and work creating a health equity curriculum for surgery and anesthesia residents that is freely available online. The link to the resources as well as some of the topics discussed on the podcast are below.

UCSF CHESA Health Equity Curriculum - The Health Equity Curriculum (HEC) was created by the Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia (CHESA) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) with contributions from multidisciplinary collaborators. The HEC was designed to fill a gap in health equity education for surgery and anesthesia residents to better serve patients. The curriculum is intended to be integrated into the core training for all residents, provide exposure that generates career interest, and be complimented by more robust training opportunities and pathways in global health. https://globalsurgery.org/health-equity-curriculum/

UCLA Anesthesiology Global Health Equity - This mission of the UCLA Anesthesiology Department’s Global Health Equity section is, “To be at the forefront of various aspects of global health equity work in anesthesia around the world through education, research and advocacy by working hand in hand with collaborators in low-resource settings.”
https://www.uclahealth.org/departments/anes/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/global-health-equity

One Voice - One voice helps Los Angeles families and students struggling against poverty through family, hope and love. https://www.onevoice-la.org/

Drs. Honorio Benzon and Rodney A. Gabriel discuss the article “Classifying High-Risk Patients for Persistent Opioid Use After Major Spine Surgery: A Machine-Learning Approach” published in the October 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Honorio Benzon and Connor G. Pepper discuss the article “Perioperative Regional Anesthesia on Persistent Opioid Use and Chronic Pain after Noncardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” published in the October 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Contributors:

Carole Lin, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Jacklyn Ma, MD, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA

Diane Gordon, MD, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO

Contributors:

Carole Lin, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Jacklyn Ma, MD, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA

Contributors:

Brandon Foster, Medical Student, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Carole Lin, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Jacklyn Ma, MD, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA

Jeffrey Feldman, MD, MSE, and Aditee Ambardekar, MD, MSEd, OpenAnesthesia Pediatric Anesthesia Section Editor, discuss mechanical ventilation in the anesthetized pediatric patient. 

Drs. Tong J. Gan and Niraja Rajan discuss the article “Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia Updated Consensus Statement on Perioperative Blood Glucose Management in Adult Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery” published in the September 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Girish Joshi and Ian Jones discuss the article “Perioperative Dexamethasone in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials” published in the September 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Anesthetic Implications of Substance Use on Labor and Delivery with T.J. Biel, MD, MBA

Lost in Transition: Caring for Children and Families with Limited English Proficiency with Maria N. Henry, MD

Drs. James DiNardo and Razvan Azamfirei discuss the article “The Effects of Intraoperative Methadone on Postoperative Pain Control in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review” published in the August 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Shannon Farmer and Nadia Hensley discuss the article “Perioperative Plasma in Addition to Red Blood Cell Transfusions Are Associated With Increased Venous Thromboembolism Risk Postoperatively” published in the August 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Dr. Emily Methangkool, OpenAnesthesia Section Editor, interviews Dr. Kelly Ural, Core Residency Program Director at Oschner Health, about blood management strategies in the setting of cardiac surgery.

From Contraction to Action: Quality Improvement in OB Anesthesia with Kelly Fedoruk, MD, FRCPC

Drs. Angela Enright, Bisola Onajin-Obembe and Bertille Ki discuss the article “Women Anesthesiologists in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Pre-COVID Era: A Multinational Demographic Study” published in the July 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Tong J. Gan and Toby Weingarten discuss the article “Effect of Propofol Infusion on Need for Rescue Antiemetics in Postanesthesia Care Unit After Volatile Anesthesia: A Retrospective Cohort Study” published in the July 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Gastric Ultrasound Assessment: Navigating NPO Uncertainty, Part 3 of 3

Gastric Ultrasound Assessment: Navigating NPO Uncertainty, Part 2 of 3

Gastric Ultrasound Assessment: Navigating NPO Uncertainty, Part 1 of 3

Title:  The Price We Pay - The Impact of Changes in Halothane Production on Anesthetic Care Around the World

Open Anesthesia Global Health Equity editor Dr. Sam Percy interviews Dr. Mohamed Kargbo and Dr. Eric Vreede, two physician anesthesiologists, about recent changes in halothane manufacturing and the expected global impact on the provision of anesthetic care in low and middle income countries. Both Dr. Kargbo and Dr. Vreede are active in clinical practice in Sierra Leone and Dr. Vreede is a member of the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists Halothane Working Group.

Drs. Olubukola Nafiu, Maxwell Baker, Dhanesh D. Binda and Ala Nozari discuss the article “The Color of Climate Change: Can Choice of Anesthetic Be Institutionally Racist?” published in the June 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Michael Barrington and Justas Lauzadis discuss the article “What Is the Role of a Periarticular Injection for Knee Arthroplasty Patients Receiving a Multimodal Analgesia Regimen Incorporating Adductor Canal and Infiltration Between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee Blocks? A Randomized Blinded Placebo-Controlled Noninferiority Trial” published in the June 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Travis Reece-Nguyen, MD, MPH, FAAP, and OpenAnesthesia Associate Editor Elisha Peterson, MD, MEd, FAAP, FASA, discuss perioperative care of transgender and gender diverse pediatric patients.

Resources:

• OA Summary: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients: Anesthetic Considerations 
• van Rooyen, C., Aquino, N.J., Tollinche, L.E. et al. Perioperative Considerations for Gender-Affirming Surgery. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 13, 90–98 (2023). Link
• Sanchez K, Tollinche L, Reece-Nguyen T. Anesthesia for gender-affirming surgery: a practical review. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2024;37(3):292-298. PubMed
• TRANSformed Anesthesia: Examining a Novel ERAS Pathway for Gender-Affirming Chest Reconstruction Surgery Link
• Sanchez KJ, Sanchez RA, Ben Khallouq B, Ellis DB. Perioperative Care of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Anesth Analg. 2023;137(1):234-246. PubMed
• Reece-Nguyen T, Afonso AM, Vinson AE. Burnout, Mental Health, and Workplace Discrimination in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Anesthesiologists. Anesthesiol Clin. 2022;40(2):245-255. Link

Intro to PAINTS by Justin L. Lockman, MD, MSEd, Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Acute Cardiac Events in Pregnancy: A PBLD Approach with Jaime Daly, MD

Obstetric Risk Stratification: Triumphs and Tribulations with Dr. Bushra W. Taha, MD

Drs. Deshpande and Sileshi discuss the management of a patient with a cardiac implantable electronic device undergoing emergency surgery. 

Perioperative Care of Neurodiverse Patients with Sean P. Antosh, MD, FAAP, introduced by OpenAnesthesia Associate Editor, Jamie Rubin, MD.

Dr. Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss perioperative respiratory adverse events in pediatric patients.

Drs. Shannon Farmer and Carolyn Burns discuss the article “Special Communication: Response to “Ensuring a Reliable Platelet Supply in the United States” published in the May 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Thomas Hemmerling and Carlos Estrada Alamo discuss the article “Artificial Intelligence in Anesthetic Care: A Survey of Physician Anesthesiologists” published in the May 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Gastric POCUS, Part 3 of 3

Gastric POCUS, Part 2 of 3

Gastric POCUS, Part 1 of 3

OpenAnesthesia Global Health Equity Section Editor Dr. Sam Percy interviews Dr. Mwemezi Kaino about his experience providing anesthesia services in Tanzania and Kenya and building anesthesia and surgical capacity across the world.


Dr. Kaino is a consultant anesthesiologist and current chair of critical care medicine at CURE International Children’s Hospital in Kenya. He is the former chair of anesthesia and intensive care at Kilamanjaro Christian Medical University.


Dr. Kaino has decades of experience working in Tanzania and Kenya and shares his stories and wisdom highlighting how perseverance, relationships and ingenuity have shaped his career. 

This is a repost of the October 2021 episode with Drs. Dabe Chatterjee and Francis Veyckemans who discussed pediatric tracheal extubations. This topic will be updated in the May 2024 episode!

Drs. Avery Tung and Brittney Williams discuss the article “Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies” published in the April 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Shannon Farmer and Matthew Warner discuss the article “Preoperative Anemia and Postoperative Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery: A Mediation Analysis Evaluating Intraoperative Transfusion Exposures” published in the April 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Gastric Ultrasound in the Setting of GLP1 Use, Part 2 of 3

Gastric Ultrasound in the Setting of GLP1 Use, Part 1 of 3

View the full article on Anesthesia & Analgesia here: https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2023/12000/procedural_and_surgical_safety_checklists__video.26.aspx

View the full article on Anesthesia & Analgesia here: https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2024/04000/operating_room_fire_prevention__video_in_clinical.28.aspx

Cognitive Errors by Debnath Chatterjee, MD, FAAP, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Drs. Avery Tung and Philip Bickler discuss the article “Low Perfusion and Missed Diagnosis of Hypoxemia by Pulse Oximetry in Darkly Pigmented Skin: A Prospective Study” published in the March 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Drs. Zeev Kain and Valentina Bellini discuss the article “Metaverse and Anesthesia” published in the March 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.