Regional Anesthesia Benefits Clinician, Patient and Bottom Line

A history of industry innovations

Over the past two decades, B. Braun has worked with leaders in the continually evolving field of regional anesthesia to develop and launch Perifix®, the world’s most widely used epidural catheter. By listening to the wisdom of colleagues, customers and clinicians, a complete line of PNB (Peripheral Nerve Block) products has also been developed, featuring the Stimuplex® Nerve Stimulators and Contiplex® Insulated Tuohy needles and catheters for continuous peripheral blocks. In 2008, B. Braun will be expanding their PNB line even further with the launch of the Contiplex® Stim stimulating catheter and HNS 12 with SENSe (Sequential Electrical Nerve Stimulation).

B. Braun’s innovations in the field of regional anesthesia are mainly the result of an unwavering dedication to patient safety. For example, B. Braun’s patented Espocan® combined spinal/epidural set design promotes procedural safety, since the unique needle design minimizes the risk of the epidural catheter following the same path as the spinal needle. And their complete line of spinal trays with the Pencan® pencil-point needle offers anesthesia providers the highest comparable flow rates for improved patient outcomes. Sprotte® pencil-point needles, the unique Atraucan^TM double-bevel spinal needle, and the Spinocan™ Quincke bevel needle are also available to meet the varying needs of clinicians and patients. All of these regional anesthesia products have helped to fuel the growth of outpatient surgery by providing more effective surgical and post-op blocks and shorter recovery room stays.

B. Braun innovation spans virtually all healthcare disciplines to include:

• IV Safety Infusion System barcode technology to reduce medication errors
• Passive needle-free IV system
• Positive pressure capless valve
• Non-PVC/DEHP-free IV containers in U.S.
• Passive safety IV catheter
  
• Passive safety huber needle
  
• IV admixture outsourcing service, CAPS®
• Parenteral and disease-specific nutrition solutions

Improving outcomes and patient satisfaction

Regional anesthesia is particularly beneficial in orthopedic cases, where post-op pain relief can interfere with recovery. One such patient who had two knee replacements, but with different methods of pain control, recently wrote in Outpatient Surgery Magazine that, “My anesthesiologist gave me a continuous femoral nerve block, which stayed in for two days after the procedure. What a difference! I was up and walking the first post-op day.” For a detailed account of how this patient benefited from the recent advancements in regional anesthesia, see exhibit A:

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Increasing regional anesthesia at your facility

Starting a regional anesthesia program at your facility can be challenging; however, there are many “basic” blocks which provide excellent analgesia and immediate pain control and are considered the easiest blocks to administer. Admir Hadzic, Director of Regional Anesthesia at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in NYC, suggests the following 3 blocks for anesthesia professionals and surgeons wanting to ease into regional blocks:

• Axillary brachial plexus block – for forearm and hand surgery
  
• Femoral nerve block – for anterior thigh and knee surgery.
  
• Ankle block – indicated for orthopedic and podiatry procedures on the foot.

Intermediate-level blocks require more advanced training and include:

• Interscalene brachial plexus block – very common for shoulder, arm and elbow surgery
  
• Infraclavicular brachial plexus block – for elbow, forearm and hand surgery
  
• Sciatic block – for the knee, tibia, Achilles tendon, ankle and foot, and
  
• Popliteal block – for foot and ankle surgery
  
• Psoas/lumbar block – for hip surgery

Dr. Hadzic has also written a very informative primer on blocks entitled “3 Things to Know About Regional Anesthesia Programs”. See exhibit B for details:


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For additional information on how regional anesthesia can make a difference at your facility, visit the New York School of Regional Anesthesia website at www.nysora.com.

For more details on how B. Braun’s newest PNB products can improve your healthcare facility’s regional anesthesia services, visit www.contiplexstim.com or call B. Braun at +1 877 949 9529 and reference this article in EHM.