Patient Safety News
January 2021
Oxygen Conservation Considerations
At this time, it is important that we do what we can to conserve our supply of oxygen. Please see the document linked below for O₂ conservation considerations.
Updated COVID Transport Guides
Updated COVID transport guideline documents can be found here, in the COVID-19 Resources section of the PSQI SharePoint page.
Blood samples for T&S and ABO/Rh
- Samples can be drawn from the same source (ie. same PIV or a line).
- Orders MUST be written separately.
- They require different time stamps.
- Consider ordering T&S → go draw your labs → then order ABO/Rh.
New QI Data Request Form
Quality Improvement clinical data requests should now be made using our new Data request form, which can be found in the Links section of the PSQI SharePoint page. Also provided is a link to view the status of previously submitted requests.
Phase II Criteria (specific to ADULT patients)
- Implications
- COVID+ Patients to Floor
- Bypassing Phase I Recovery
- Temp 36-38, skin warm and dry
- Awake and cooperative or at preop baseline if intellectually/cognitively disabled (modified Aldrete)
- Hemodynamically stable (within 20% of preop baseline) – no longer requires medications to get to/stay at preop baseline (modified Aldrete)
- Pain < 5/10 or at preop baseline, especially if patient with chronic pain
- Absence of vomiting
- Protective airway reflexes intact with SpO₂ > 92% (modified Aldrete).
Please note: If you transfer a patient to any location other than PACU, please do not use the Handoff to Receiving Nurse button. Instead, use the Patient transported to ICU from OR button and change the text to reflect your recovery location.
Generator Fed Outlets
“Red is good, and white is bad” is not always the answer. It is important we all recognize that, in the event of an isolated power outage, the issue could be an Automatic Transfer Switch (in yellow below). This will prevent all power from reaching an outlet. In this case, move items that are plugged-in to other bays of red receptacles, or even white receptacles.
4th Floor OR Pyxis Sugammadex Stocking
Starting January 1st, Sugammadex will be stocked in 4th Floor OR Anesthesia Pyxis
- It will be in secured medication pockets (like narcotics)
- 4th floor non-OR pyxis will remain stocked for airway emergencies
- Our goal is to reduce quantities of vials lost
Drug Shortages – January 2021
Local Anesthetics with Epinephrine
- Combination vials of local anesthetic with epinephrine remain on back order.
- We have run out of the following products:
- Bupivacaine 0.5% w/ epinephrine 1:200,000; 30 mL vial
- Bupivacaine 0.25% w/ epinephrine 1:200,000; 30 mL vial
- Lidocaine 1% w/ epinephrine 1:100,000; 20 mL vial
- Adequate supply of all plain bupivacaine and lidocaine products.
- Should OR’s need to combine epinephrine with plain bupivacaine/lidocaine, please feel free to call OR Pharmacy for Calculations Tip Sheet or assistance.
Cisatracurium
- Reserve for patients with poor renal/liver function.
- Stock centralized in MAIN-OR Pyxis fridge for extended expiration dating.
Gelfilm
- Product remains unavailable.
- To obtain Durepair, please reach out to Materials Supply Chain.
EPINEPHrine 10mcg/mL syringe
- Product unavailable from QuVa, with next release date unknown.
- Please dilute, or substitute with other alternate EPINEPHrine products.
Mineral Oil
- Supply is very tight, with next release date in late-January.
- Please substitute with Surgilube, glycerin, or other lubricant if supply runs out.
Drug Shortage information can also be found on the PSQI SharePoint site (available only when connected to the hospital’s secure network/wifi).
