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Background and Objectives The establishment at our center of a dedicated regional anesthesia service in 2008–2009 has resulted in a marked increase in single-shot brachial plexus blocks (sBPBs) for ambulatory wrist fracture surgery. Despite the documented benefits of regional over general anesthesia (GA), there has been a perceived increase among sBPB patients in postoperative return rates for pain at our institution. We conducted a retrospective quality improvement project to examine this. Methods After exemption from human ethics board review, we sought to identify and contact all wrist fracture surgery patients treated at our center between 2003 and 2012. Our primary outcome was the incidence of unplanned physician visits (office/clinic or emergency department) for pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. Other main outcomes included the incidence of seeking any form of medical attention for pain and self-reporting of severe pain in the first 48 hours. Results Of 1008 identified patients, 419 could be contacted; 195 qualified for analysis. The incidence of unplanned physician visits in the first 48 hours was 12% (13 of 118) among sBPB patients versus 4% (3 of 77) in GA patients (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.8–11.1; P = 0.11). More sBPB versus GA patients sought any form of medical attention for pain (20% vs 5%; OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4–10.9; P = 0.003). Similarly, more sBPB patients reported severe postoperative pain (41% vs 10%; OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 2.6–13.4; P Conclusions Patients who received sBPBs for ambulatory wrist fracture surgery had a higher rate of unplanned health care resource utilization caused by pain after hospital discharge than those undergoing GA. These findings warrant confirmation in a prospective trial and emphasize the need for a defined postdischarge analgesic pathway as well as the potential merits of perineural home catheters.

Sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is challenging, as both over- and under-sedation are detrimental. Current methods of assessment, such as the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), are measured intermittently and rely on patients’ behavioral response to stimulation, which may interrupt sleep/rest. A non-stimulating method for continuous sedation monitoring may be beneficial and allow more frequent assessment. Processed electroencephalography (EEG) monitors have not been routinely adopted in the ICU. The aim of this observational study was to assess the feasibility of using the NeuroSENSE™ monitor for EEG-based continuous sedation assessment. With ethical approval, ICU patients on continuous propofol sedation were recruited. Depth-of-hypnosis index (WAVCNS) values were obtained from the NeuroSENSE. Bedside nurses, blinded to the NeuroSENSE, performed regular RASS assessments and maintained the sedation regimen as per standard of care. Participants were monitored throughout the duration of their propofol infusion, up to 24 h. Fifteen patients, with median [interquartile range] age of 57 [52–62.5] years were each monitored for a duration of 9.0 [5.7–20.1] h. Valid WAVCNS values were obtained for 89% [66–99] of monitoring time and were widely distributed within and between individuals, with 6% [1–31] spent 90 (awake). Significant EEG suppression was detected in 3/15 (20%) participants. Observed RASS matched RASS goals in 36/89 (40%) assessments. The WAVCNS variability, and incidence of EEG suppression, highlight the limitations of using RASS as a standalone sedation measure, and suggests potential benefit of adjunct continuous brain monitoring.