European Medicines Agency’s Post

🤔 Interesting safety findings for GLP 1 receptor agonist (GLP-RA): The PRAC has recommended that those patients who are using GLP-1 RA are at the risk of residual gastric content being present because of delayed gastric emptying and should therefore be cautious before performing procedures with general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The product information of GLP-1 RAs will be updated accordingly, including a warning to patients that they should inform the doctor involved if they take these medicines and are scheduled to undergo surgery under anaesthesia or deep sedation.

🔎 💊 Our safety committee, the #PRAC, at its July meeting has recommended new measures to minimize the risk of aspiration with GLP-1 medicines during anesthesia and deep sedation. Patients treated with GLP-1 medicines should inform the doctor involved if they have a planned surgery. The PRAC also agreed a direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) for glatiramer acetate, a medicine authorized for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Following an EU-wide review of all available data, the PRAC concluded that the medicine is associated with anaphylactic reactions which may occur even after months up to years after initiation of treatment. Cases with a fatal outcome have been reported. The DHPC will inform healthcare professionals about this risk and recommend that patients and/or caregivers be advised of the signs and symptoms and to seek emergency care in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eKPBbPFf

Recently, The New York Times featured an article titled "Matthew Perry Died of ‘Acute Effects of Ketamine,’ Autopsy Says," which immediately caught my attention due to its contradiction to established principles regarding Ketamine and its effects. In my training, I have learned that Ketamine is a relatively safe anesthesia drug as it does not suppress the respiratory drive. According to the NYT article, the amount of Ketamine in Matthew Perry's system was stated to be "equivalent to the amount that would be used in general anesthesia." However, it has also been reported that he had 3500 ng/mL of ketamine in his bloodstream at the time of death. Dr. Matthew Markert, MD PhD, emphasized that this concentration is "75% more than would be required to do surgery on your abdomen without pain under general anesthesia." He was evidently in a state of complete overdose and comatose, "making any activity other than being in a bed with a sitter a form of at least suicidal negligence." Ketamine is currently a prominent topic of discussion, as when administered correctly with appropriate therapeutic support, it has demonstrated the potential to bring about lasting change and relief. While it is not a cure-all, it has proven beneficial for some individuals who have not found success with other interventions. It is disheartening to witness such a headline, as it has the potential to instill fear in readers regarding a medication that is largely safe and documented to be effective for specific indications, particularly when administered within the context of a professional therapeutic partnership. #matthewperry #ketaminetherapy #ketamine

⚠️ Stay Safe, Stay Informed: Weight Loss Drugs and Surgery Risks Recent findings reveal that popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy pose serious risks for patients undergoing surgery. These medications can significantly slow metabolism, increasing the risk of aspiration (when food, liquid, or other material enters the lungs instead of the stomach, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or respiratory distress) during anesthesia. This means the standard 8-hour fasting period before surgery might not be sufficient, putting patients at severe risk (UCLA Health). Many patients use these drugs as a quick fix without understanding the potential dangers and how they'll react to other procedures. This lack of awareness could lead to numerous medical malpractice suits as patients aren't properly informed about these new medications, and surgeons may not ask about weight loss drug use. 🔍 Key Points: Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy slow metabolism, increasing surgical risks ⚠ Standard fasting guidelines may not be enough, heightening aspiration risk ⚠ Informed consent is crucial; patients and healthcare providers must discuss these risks ⚠ Stay informed and always discuss any medications you're taking with your healthcare provider, especially before surgery. For more detailed information, visit PBS NewsHour. #StaySafe #StayInformed #WeightLossDrugs #Ozempic #Wegovy #SurgeryRisks #MedicalMalpractice #PatientSafety #LegalNurseConsulting #HealthcareAwareness #LegalSupport

The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) recently released its private market update for Q2 of this year, and I’ve picked out a few interesting stats for this infographic. As PHIN says, the number of consultants active in private healthcare regularly fluctuates, but Q2 this year saw 240 fewer (2%) compared to the same period last year. The biggest increases by volume in admissions in PHIN’s top 10 procedures were for diagnostics: ⬆️ Diagnostic Colonoscopy – bowel – increased by 1,100 (15%) ⬆️ Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy - increased by 900 (9%). ⬆️ Therapeutic colonoscopy – bowel – increased by 700 (21%) …so it’s interesting to see that the number of gastroenterology consultants increased the most - by 24 (4%). Which stat drove the other, do you think? Self-pay admissions saw a decrease compared to the previous year – have we hit a self-pay plateau? Insured admissions grew, which shouldn’t surprise us as both Bupa and Vitality have reported strong growth over the past couple of years. Will any of these stats prompt a change in strategy for you in 2024? ___ Want to see more about growing a healthy private practice? Follow me, Chris Rogers | Ring my 🔔 | Let’s connect! And if you'd like, you can join Private Practice Surgery #healthcaremarketing #surgeons #doctors #privatehospital #privatepractice #privatehealthcare #healthyprivatepractice #healthcare

#outpatientspinesurgery When we introduced the TLIP block into our #rapidrecoveryspinesurgery protocol we began to see dramatic results in regards to 1) #opioid consumption and 2) same day discharge. Many #spinesurgeons prefer the ESP block - which I believe offers similar results. Regardless of which technique you use it seems that adding #regionalanesthesia to #spinesurgery has a dramatic impact on outcomes. Here is an interesting article from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Taipei Veterans General Hospital demonstrating that the proximity of the block from the incision does not make a noticeable impact on pain scores. But adding the block makes a big difference when compared to a control group. Have you noticed a difference in pain control between ESP/TLIP patients vs non-regional anesthesia patients? Philip Louie Peter B. Derman, MD, MBA Raymond Gardocki Ernest Braxton MD, MBA Michael Verdon, DO FACOS Muhammad Abd-El-Barr MD PhD FAANS Kingsley Abode-Iyamah MD FAANS https://lnkd.in/e7fT74av

Obesity significantly increases the potential risks linked to anaesthesia, causing challenges such as cardiovascular strain, prolonged recovery times and difficulties with airway management. For more information, see our latest blog exploring this issue: https://lnkd.in/ehgvfF5J #anaesthesia #anaesthesiology #obesity #healthcare #healthrisks #riskmanagement #medical #surgery

Daily Critical Care Pearls #222: Risk Factors Associated With the Development of Venous Thromboembolism in ICU Patients According to a review and systematic analysis published in Critical Care Medicine, 📌 The 5 patient-specific risk factors were: 1. Older age 2. Obesity 3. Active malignancy 4. History of VTE 5. History of recent surgery 📌 The 5 ICU-specific risk factors were: 1. Sepsis 2. Lack of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis 3. Central venous catheter 4. Invasive mechanical ventilation 5. Use of vasoactive medication 📌 This study can be used to develop a VTE risk stratification tool for ICU patients, but it also identifies some potentially modifiable risk factors that a pharmacist may be able to address. 📌 Efforts to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and central venous catheters may be indirectly modifiable by pharmacist interventions. Full study can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/eWCdNQWE #criticalcare #clinicalpharmacy #medicine #pearls

Let's see if this toxic lunch will trigger any disruption in the biostate BP 🤣 or support more advancement in stability like it did when I first got out of that Premier showcase tertiary hospital with Gross Incompetent criminal negligent doctors. First irregular diet biostate boosting intake when I forced my discharge from such an idiotic useless hospital. The body felt so good released from the mal treatments at hospitals. From over suppression of salts to mal suppression of kidney and liver functions and kidney damage to within 1 category of dialysis. Undermining of muscles and endocrine organs. Attempts to undermine the brain bleed and attempts to instigate a cardio issue. Fictitious diagnoses to justify emergency life shortening surgery. Refusal to discharge me for second opinion at another medical facility. After the fictitious diagnoses was contested by IJN and the emergency referral cancelled BY IJN. Still detained me illegally in hospital refusing me discharge. Continued administering mal prescriptions undermining my biostate.

Dr. Abbasi meticulously prepares a solution before administering an injection into the patient's back. This procedure exemplifies an Epidural Steroid Injection. An Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a medical procedure commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation in the spine. It involves injecting a combination of a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic into the epidural space around the spinal cord and nerves. The primary purpose of an ESI is to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. The corticosteroid medication helps to reduce inflammation, which can relieve pressure on the nerves and decrease pain. The local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief by numbing the affected area. ESIs are typically recommended when conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or oral medications have not provided sufficient relief. They can be particularly beneficial for patients experiencing severe or persistent pain that interferes with daily activities. #injections #backpain #chronicpain #surgeon #orthopedicsurgeon #doctorpatientcare #spine #spinehealth #spinesurgeon