Intraoperative Awareness

ateline NBC’s Stone Phillips did a brief follow-up on a previous segment regarding intraoperative awareness. The piece, which aired on January 8, explained that researchers are experimenting with devices to monitor brain activity. It mentioned that ASA approved a report (practice advisory) backing the use of brain function monitors on a “case by case” basis, and that ASA also recommended that doctors follow a checklist to make sure that proper sedation is being delivered.

Baby Noor Surgery

he surgical team for Baby Noor, the Iraqi child with spina bifida, included anesthesiologist Martha A. Wilkins, M.D., who was interviewed by the Associated Press. Her comments on the surgery were quoted in the Associated Press wire story on January 9, which was picked up by numerous national and international outlets.

Colonoscopies and Propofol

n abbreviated version of ASA’s letter to the Wall Street Journal appeared on January 6, along with a letter from Vincent J. Vilasi, M.D. Both letters were in response to a WSJ article on the decision by some health insurance providers not to pay for an anesthesiologist’s services for routine colonoscopy. The complete ASA letter, as submitted to the Wall Street Journal, can be found on the homepage of the ASA Web site under “What’s New?”

Medically Induced Comas

January 10 Miami Herald article on induced comas included quotes from David S. Warner, M.D., a Duke University neuroanesthesiologist. W. Andrew Kofke, M.D., also was quoted for this story by several media outlets in Pennsylvania.

New York Times Personal View

he New York Times ran a piece on January 10 that was written by a woman whose husband required emergency care for epiglottitis. Her account of the experience, which included sedation and intubation, was very positive in relation to the care provided by the emergency room team of physicians, which included two anesthesiologists.