This month has teased us with the spring weather that is yet to come. Just last week here in Michigan we had snow again. It's hard to believe that a week and half before it was 60 degrees! As March comes to a close we are all looking forward to spring and summer. Don't forget to start looking at your schedules soon!

March was a busy month here at National and we can't wait to see what the next few months will bring! After a long winter, maybe you're feeling ready for a change of scenery - how about taking a job that lets you spend your free time at the beach, in the mountains or in one of our nation's vibrant cities? We'd love for you to visit our own beautiful state of Michigan - our scenery is spectacular, our lakes are inviting and our summer weather is just perfect. Check out our exciting opportunities all over this great nation at www.nationalanesthesia.com or www.nationalphysicianstaffinginc.com.

This month in our newsletter be sure to check out our HOT JOB ALERT. We debuted this section last month and each month we will be featuring different positions. If you are looking for something new be sure to take a look! Our first article titled "Warming Local Anesthetics Ease Injections" discusses how warming local anesthetics to body temperature might reduce the burning, stinging pain that patients feel. "Study: Anesthesia Awareness May Trigger Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" looks into how patients suffer psychologically after experiencing anesthesia awareness. We are ending our newsletter this time around on a funny note with random thoughts in "Men Are Just Happier People." This gave all of us here at National a good laugh.

We hope you enjoy the March edition of National News. Remember to connect with us today at 1-800-642-1999!

Stephen Read, President
National Anesthesia Services, Inc. and National Physician Staffing, Inc.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

---- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Long-term Locum in Southeast MI!

If you have a current MI license, or have applied for one, please contact us ASAP about this great opportunity west of Detroit! This is a large hospital with a wide range of cases. We need a minimum of a 60-90-day commitment but the longer you're available the better. Candidates can start in May, June or July. Full locum package - connect with Jill or Christi at (800) 642-1999.

Local anesthetic agents that have been warmed to body temperature might reduce the burning, stinging pain that patients often feel during injection, according to Canadian researchers.

Their study was published online by the Annals of Emergency Medicine, the journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians, but it holds significant patient care possibilities for any clinician delivering injectable analgesics.

"Because local anesthetic injections are planned procedures (and thus pain is predictable), all efforts should be made to prevent or at least minimize iatrogenic pain," the study's authors write. "Warming of local anesthetic solutions can be performed in almost any clinical setting in which local anesthetics are used by utilizing equipment already available for other purposes," such as fluid or syringe warmers, controlled water baths, incubators or even a clinician's hands.

The analysis of 18 studies and a total of 831 patients found that the shots that were administered warm rather than at room temperature showed a consistent and "clinically meaningful reduction in pain," for reasons that are not entirely clear. However, this effect was evident regardless of the injection's size, its method of delivery (subcutaneous or intradermal) or whether it was buffered.

The simple, cost-free warming process will not negatively impact the stability of the anesthetic, the researchers note, and may make a huge difference in patient satisfaction, especially among pediatric patients.

--David Bernard
www.outpatientweekly.net

Nearly two-thirds of patients who experienced intraoperative awareness suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder 5 years after their surgeries, according to researchers who followed up with patients in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

"Long-term psychological follow-up should be offered to patients who report awareness regardless of their early postoperative psychological state," suggest the researchers, who published their findings in the March issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

The research team surveyed patients who'd experienced awareness during a clinical trial of 2.463 surgical patients designed to study the efficacy of bispectral monitoring. Seven of the 13 patients who'd experienced awareness were still alive, and 5 of them reported symptoms of PTSD, according to the article.

It's not certain, however, that anesthesia awareness caused the PTSD in each case, writes George Mashour, MD, PhD, of the University of Michigan Medical School in an accompanying editorial. The patients in the trial were undergoing potentially stressful high-risk surgeries and may have suffered from other illness-related factors. "Medical events, such as myocardial infarction, can be associated with PTSD," he writes.

Regardless, concludes Dr. Mashour, the high rate of PTSD "reinforces the need for preventing intraoperative awareness."

---Kent Steinriede
www.outpatientsurgery.net

Some funny facts on why men are happier people:

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white t-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5,000.

Tux rental- $100.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone converstaions are over in 30 seconds flat.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friends.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays it original color.

The same hairstyle last for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

General Disclaimer: The materials have been compiled by National Anesthesia Services. Inc. from internal and external sources. However, while we have attempted to provide accurate information in this publication, no representation is made or warranty given as to the completeness or accuracy of the Materials. In particular, you should be aware that the Materials may be incomplete, may contain errors, or may have become out of date. You should therefore verify information obtained from this publication before you take any action upon it.