It happens to us every day…
“I took over this case about 30 minutes ago. We’ll be done in 10. Intraoperative sign-out was straightforward: 76-year-old male with known CAD for open prostatectomy, NIDDM, CKD, easy airway & lines, 3 L crystalloids, 1L EBL, 150 ml of urine prior to clamping … I look at the EKG: ST depression in II and V5 lead – is that new? How did it look when I took over? HR 85; BP stable. Hmm … let’s see if there’s a printout of the EKG strip prior to induction – negative; I’ll give some esmolol and order an EKG for the PACU – smooth emergence, vitals unchanged, patient appears comfortable, off to PACU.
I’m paged for a STAT airway in the ICU just as I arrive in the PACU. I need to give a quick sign-out to the PACU RN before dashing off to the...
