Bio

Bio

Gillian Abir graduated from Glasgow University (UK) in 1998. After initially undertaking surgical residency and emergency medicine residency, she changed to anesthesiology and completed her residency training in Glasgow and Sheffield (UK). Following this she undertook an obstetric anesthesia fellowship-equivalent at Stanford University School of Medicine and is currently a Clinical Associate Professor.
Gillian is the Clinical Director for the division of obstetric anesthesiology and the residency program coordinator for obstetric anesthesiology.
Gillian has published several manuscripts and has contributed eight book chapters, and is the current co-editor of the obstetric anesthesia section of Anesthesia Tutorial of the Week, World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (www.wfsahq.org/resources/anaesthesia-tutorial-of-the-week).
Gillian is a member of the multidisciplinary obstetric simulation team which carries out regular in-situ drills. She is also a member of the obstetric disaster preparedness committee and labor and delivery patient safety committee. She is a current member of the patient safety and international outreach committees at SOAP.
Gillian also has an interest in global health and regularly volunteers with Kybele Inc. (www.kybeleworldwide.org) teaching obstetric anesthesia.

Clinical Focus

  • Anesthesia
  • OB Anesthesia

Academic Appointments

  • Clinical Associate Professor, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Co-chair - Simulation subcommittee, Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (2020 - Present)
  • Member - Board of Directors, Kybele Inc. (2020 - Present)
  • Member - Sepsis Task Force Advisory Group, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (2019 - Present)
  • Member - Patient safety committee, Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (2014 - Present)
  • Member - International outreach committee, Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (2014 - Present)
  • Co-editor - Obstetric anesthesia - Anesthesia Tutorial of the Week, World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (2016 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Fellowship: Royal College of Anesthetists (2011) England
  • Board Certification: The Royal College of Anaesthetists, Anesthesia (2008)
  • Residency: Chesterfield Royal Hospital (2008) UK
  • Residency: Doncaster Royal Infirmary (2008) UK
  • Residency: Barnsley District General (2007) UK
  • Residency: Northern General Hospital (2007) UK
  • Residency: Doncaster Royal Infirmary (2006) UK
  • Medical Education: University of Glasgow (1998) Scotland
  • Residency: Glasgow Royal Infirmary (2005) Scotland
  • Residency: Royal Alexandra Hospital (2000) UK
  • Residency: Hairmyres Hospital (2000) UK
  • Residency: Sheffield Children's Hospital (2006)
  • Residency: Royal Hallamshire Hospital - Jessop Wing (2006) UK
  • Residency: Royal Hallamshire Hospital (2005) UK
  • Residency: Stobhill Hospital (2004) Scotland
  • Residency: Western Infirmary (2002) Scotland
  • Residency: Glasgow Royal Infirmary (2001) Scotland
  • Internship: Hairmyres Hospital (1999) UK
  • Internship: Royal Alexandra Hospital (1999) UK

Community and International Work

  • Kybele Inc.

    Topic

    Teaching obstetric anesthesiology

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

Contact

  • Anesthesia Department 300 Pasteur Dr Rm H3580 MC 5640 Stanford, CA 94305
    • Tel: (650) 723-6412
    Fax: (650) 725-8544

Teaching

Graduate and Fellowship Programs

Publications

All Publications

  • Chapter 37: Maternal Critical Care in a Disaster. Principles and Practice of Maternal Critical Care Abir, G., Daniels, K. Springer. 2020; 1st
  • Chapter 114: Emergency Aids for Obstetric Crises in Anesthesiology Manual of Clinical Anesthesiology Abir, G. Wolters Kluwer. 2020; 2nd
  • Anesthesia for non-delivery obstetric procedures Abir, G., Carvalho, B. UpToDate. 2019
  • Obstetric Anesthesia Emergency Manual Abir, G., Seligman, K., Chu, L. Stanford Anesthesia Informatics and Media (AIM) Lab. 2019
  • Cognitive Aids in Obstetric Units: Design, Implementation, and Use. Anesthesia and analgesia Abir, G., Austin, N., Seligman, K. M., Burian, B. K., Goldhaber-Fiebert, S. N. 2019

    Abstract

    Obstetrics has unique considerations for high stakes and dynamic clinical care of ?2 patients. Obstetric crisis situations require efficient and coordinated responses from the entire multidisciplinary team. Actions that teams perform, or omit, can strongly impact peripartum and perinatal outcomes. Cognitive aids are tools that aim to improve patient safety, efficiency in health care management, and patient outcomes. However, they are intended to be combined with clinician judgment and training, not as absolute or exhaustive standards of care for patient management. There is simulation-based evidence showing efficacy of cognitive aids for enhancing appropriate team management during crises, especially with a reader role, with growing literature supporting use in obstetric and nonobstetric clinical settings when combined with local customization and implementation efforts. The purpose of this article is to summarize current understanding and available resources for cognitive aid design, implementation, and use in obstetrics and to highlight existing gaps that can stimulate further enhancement in this field.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004354

    View details for PubMedID 31425259

  • Preoperative anterior thigh temperature does not correlate with perioperative temporal hypothermia during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia: Secondary analysis of a randomized control trial. International journal of obstetric anesthesia Cobb, B., Abir, G., Carvalho, B. 2018; 33: 40?45

    Abstract

    Core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat, secondary to sympathetic-mediated vasodilation, is the major mechanism leading to early perioperative hypothermia after neuraxial anesthesia. The study aim was to determine if preoperative anterior thigh (peripheral lower extremity) temperature predicted perioperative temporal (core) temperature decrease during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia.Secondary analysis of data derived from a prospective, randomized study of 46 healthy women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia was performed. Anterior thigh temperature was measured preoperatively prior to spinal anesthesia. The primary outcome was maximum perioperative temporal temperature decrease. Secondary outcomes included incidence of temporal hypothermia (temperature <36°C), shivering, and thermal comfort scores. This study ran concurrently with a previously published trial comparing no active intraoperative warming with active warming.There was no correlation between preoperative anterior thigh temperature and maximum perioperative temporal temperature decrease (r=-0.049, P=0.751). The mean±standard deviation preoperative anterior thigh temperature of women who developed temporal hypothermia compared to those who did not was 32.4±0.8°C versus 32.4±0.70°C respectively (P=0.995). Preoperative anterior thigh temperature did not correlate with the incidence of shivering (r=0.267, P=0.080) or thermal comfort scores (r=0.233, P=0.129).Preoperative anterior thigh temperature does not correlate with the degree of perioperative temporal temperature decrease, likelihood of developing hypothermia, shivering, or thermal comfort during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. Although core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat after neuraxial anesthesia is a major mechanism of perioperative heat loss, a lower extremity temperature prediction hypothesis was not confirmed in this population.

    View details for PubMedID 29017742

  • Chapter 4: Simulation-based Training AWHONN?s High-Risk and Critical Care Obstetrics Arafeh, J., Abir, G. Wolters Kluwer. 2018; 4th
  • Chapter 25: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pregnancy AWHONN?S High-Risk and Critical Care Obstetrics Arafeh, J., Abir, G. Wolters Kluwer. 2018; 4th
  • Clinical and microbiological features of maternal sepsis: a retrospective study INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA Abir, G., Akdagli, S., Butwick, A., Carvalho, B. 2017; 29: 26-33

    Abstract

    Identifying pregnant women with sepsis is challenging because diagnostic clinical and laboratory criteria overlap with normal pregnant physiologic indices. Our primary study aim was to describe clinical and laboratory characteristics of women diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Our secondary aim was to determine positive predictive values for International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 billing codes for sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.After gaining Institutional Review Board approval, we identified women with ICD-9 codes for sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock who were admitted to a single tertiary obstetric center from 2007-2013. Diagnoses were confirmed using criteria from the International Sepsis Definitions Conference report. Demographic, obstetric, vital signs and laboratory data were abstracted by medical chart review.We identified 190 women with sepsis-related ICD-9 codes: of these, 35 (18%) women met the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock. Twenty (57%) women had a sepsis-related diagnosis after cesarean delivery. Twenty-one (60%) women had one or more pre-existing medical conditions and 19 (54%) women had one or more obstetric-related conditions. The genital tract was the most common site of infection. We observed considerable heterogeneity in maternal vital signs and laboratory indices for women with ICD-9 codes for sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The positive predictive value for each sepsis-related ICD-9 code was low: 16% (95% CI 10 to 24%) for sepsis, 10% (95% CI 3 to 25%) for severe sepsis and 24% (95% CI 10 to 46%) for septic shock.We identified marked heterogeneity in patient characteristics, clinical features, laboratory indices and microbiological findings among cohorts of women diagnosed with maternal sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock. Based on our findings, the incidence of maternal sepsis using ICD-9 codes may be significantly overestimated.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijoa.2016.09.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 000394917700006

  • Postpartum tubal ligation: A retrospective review of anesthetic management at a single institution and a practice survey of academic institutions. Journal of clinical anesthesia McKenzie, C., Akdagli, S., Abir, G., Carvalho, B. 2017; 43: 39?46

    Abstract

    The primary aim was to evaluate institutional anesthetic techniques utilized for postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL). Secondarily, academic institutions were surveyed on their clinical practice for PPTL.An institutional-specific retrospective review of patients with ICD-9 procedure codes for PPTL over a 2-year period was conducted. Obstetric anesthesia fellowship directors were surveyed on anesthetic management of PPTL.Labor and delivery unit. Internet survey.202 PPTL procedures were reviewed. 47 institutions were surveyed; 26 responses were received.Timing of PPTL, anesthetic management, postoperative pain and length of stay.There was an epidural catheter reactivation failure rate of 26% (18/69 epidural catheter reactivation attempts). Time from epidural catheter insertion to PPTL was a significant factor associated with failure: median [IQR; range] time for successful versus failed epidural catheter reactivation was 17h [10-25; 3-55] and 28h [14-33; 5-42], respectively (P=0.028). Epidural catheter reactivation failure led to significantly longer times to provide surgical anesthesia than successful epidural catheter reactivation or primary spinal technique: median [IQR] 41min [33-54] versus 15min [12-21] and 19min [15-24], respectively (P<0.0001). Fifty-eight percent (15/26) of respondents routinely leave the labor epidural catheter in-situ if PPTL is planned. Sixty-five percent (17/26) and 7% (2/26) would not attempt to reactivate the epidural catheter for PPTL if >8h and >24h post-delivery, respectively.Epidural catheter reactivation failure increases with longer intervals between catheter placement and PPTL. Failed epidural catheter reactivation increases anesthetic and operating room times. Our results and the significant variability in practice from our survey suggest recommendations on the timing and anesthetic management are needed to reduce unfulfilled PPTL procedures.

    View details for PubMedID 28985581

  • Maternal mortality and the role of the obstetric anesthesiologist. Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology Abir, G., Mhyre, J. 2017; 31 (1): 91?105

    Abstract

    Maternal mortality is increasing in the United States and remains unacceptably high in many parts of the world. Pre-existing conditions and social determinants of health frequently contribute to maternal death. General solutions to enhance maternal safety focus on systems to identify women at high risk and to tailor the management before, during, and after pregnancy. This review highlights condition-specific solutions for the leading etiologies of maternal death, including cardiac disease, sepsis, hemorrhage, venous thromboembolism, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and amniotic fluid embolism. Although anesthesia is an exceedingly rare cause of maternal death, specific hazards remain, including airway management, high neuraxial block, and unintentional dural puncture. The review concludes with an overview of strategies to create an institutional culture of both safety and equity, including multidisciplinary team training, simulation, shared decision-making, family-centered care, and serious morbidity review.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bpa.2017.01.005

    View details for PubMedID 28625309

  • Active Warming Utilizing Combined IV Fluid and Forced-Air Warming Decreases Hypothermia and Improves Maternal Comfort During Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Control Trial ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA Cobb, B., Cho, Y., Hilton, G., Ting, V., Carvalho, B. 2016; 122 (5): 1490-1497

    Abstract

    The aim of this study was to apply both IV fluid and forced-air warming to decrease perioperative hypothermia in women undergoing cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. The authors hypothesize that combined-modality active warming (AW) would increase maternal temperature on arrival at the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and decrease the incidence of maternal perioperative hypothermia (<36°C) compared with no AW.Forty-six healthy women (n = 23 per group) undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia (10-12 mg bupivacaine + 10 ?g fentanyl) were enrolled in this double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Women were randomly assigned to receive either AW (warmed IV fluid and lower body forced-air warmer) or no warming (NW; blankets only). SpotOn Monitoring System was used to measure core temperature intraoperatively and for 1 hour postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was maternal temperature on arrival at the PACU. Secondary outcome measures included incidence of maternal perioperative hypothermia (<36°C), incidence of shivering, thermal comfort scores (0-100 scale), Apgar scores, and umbilical cord blood gas analysis.Demographic, obstetric, and surgical data were similar between study groups. The AW group (35.9°C ± 0.5°C) had a significantly higher temperature on arrival at the PACU compared with the NW group (35.5°C ± 0.5°C, P = 0.006; 95% confidence interval of mean difference, 0.1°C-0.7°C). Fourteen (64%) women in the AW group and 20 (91%) in the NW group were hypothermic during the study period (P = 0.031). Median (interquartile range) thermal comfort scores were 100 (95-100) in the AW group and 90 (70-100) in the NW group (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative shivering (22% in the AW and 45% in the NW groups; P = 0.11), Apgar scores, or umbilical vein blood gas values between the study groups.Fluid combined with forced-air warming is effective in decreasing the incidence of perioperative hypothermia and improving maternal thermal comfort. However, despite multimodal AW, the majority of women became hypothermic, and shivering was not prevented. The findings suggest that combined AW for cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia is difficult, and only modest benefit should be expected.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001181

    View details for Web of Science ID 000374664400040

    View details for PubMedID 26895002

  • Checklists and multidisciplinary team performance during simulated obstetric hemorrhage. International journal of obstetric anesthesia Hilton, G., Daniels, K., Goldhaber-Fiebert, S. N., Lipman, S., Carvalho, B., Butwick, A. 2016; 25: 9-16

    Abstract

    Checklists can optimize team performance during medical crises. However, there has been limited examination of checklist use during obstetric crises. In this simulation study we exposed multidisciplinary teams to checklist training to evaluate checklist use and team performance during a severe postpartum hemorrhage.Fourteen multidisciplinary teams participated in a postpartum hemorrhage simulation occurring after vaginal delivery. Before participating, each team received checklist training. The primary study outcome was whether each team used the checklist during the simulation. Secondary outcomes were the times taken to activate our institution-specific massive transfusion protocol and commence red blood cell transfusion, and whether a designated checklist reader was used.The majority of teams (12/14 (86%)) used the checklist. Red blood cell transfusion was administered by all teams. The median [IQR] times taken to activate the massive transfusion protocol and transfuse red blood cells were 5min 14s [3:23-6:43] and 14min 40s [12:56-17:28], respectively. A designated checklist reader was used by 7/12 (58%) teams that used the checklist. Among teams that used a checklist with versus without a designated reader, we observed no differences in the times to activate the massive transfusion protocol or to commence red blood cell transfusion (P>0.05).Although checklist training was effective in promoting checklist use, multidisciplinary teams varied in their scope of checklist use during a postpartum hemorrhage simulation. Future studies are required to determine whether structured checklist training can result in more standardized checklist use during a postpartum hemorrhage.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijoa.2015.08.011

    View details for PubMedID 26421705

  • Simulation Study Assessing Healthcare Provider's Knowledge of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia in a Tertiary Referral Center. Simulation in healthcare Hilton, G., Daniels, K., Carvalho, B. 2016; 11 (1): 25-31

    Abstract

    The aim of the study was to assess knowledge of labor and delivery healthcare providers at a tertiary referral center in the management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.Thirteen multidisciplinary teams participated in this institutional review board-exempt study. Each group encountered the same scenario that involved a pre-eclamptic parturient who progressed to eclampsia. The participants were unaware of the scenario topic before the drill and that key interventions would be recorded and timed. Seven of 13 groups were randomized to have a cognitive aid available.Twelve of 13 groups attempted to lower the blood pressure; however, only 7 of 12 groups used the correct first-line antihypertensive medication as per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines. All groups requested and administered the correct bolus dose of magnesium (4-6 g intravenously). Only 2 of 13 groups took appropriate action to lower the blood pressure to a "safe range" before induction of general anesthesia, and 4 of the 13 anesthesiologists made drug modifications for induction of anesthesia. None of the 7 groups randomized to have a cognitive aid used it.Our results show widespread magnesium sulfate utilization; however, the use of antihypertensive medication is not universally administered in compliance with current guidelines. The importance of blood pressure management to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the setting of pre-eclampsia needs to be emphasized. Interestingly, availability of a cognitive aid did not ensure its utilization in this scenario. Findings suggest that for cognitive aids to be effectively used, it is essential that staff has been trained and become familiar with them before an emergent event.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000125

    View details for PubMedID 26836465

  • The impact of advanced maternal age on peripartum thromboelastographic coagulation profiles: a prospective observational exploratory study. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthe´sie Butwick, A., Gutierrez, M. C., Hilton, G. 2015; 62 (5): 504-512

    Abstract

    Advanced maternal age (AMA) is a known risk factor for pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism. However, it is unclear if underlying differences exist in the maternal coagulation profiles of AMA vs non-AMA women. The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare peripartum thromboelastography parameters of AMA and non-AMA women undergoing elective Cesarean delivery (CD).We compared the peripartum thromboelastographic profiles of healthy AMA women (age > 35 yr) and non-AMA women (age ? 35 yr) undergoing elective CD under neuraxial anesthesia. Blood samples were drawn prior to CD and at 24 hr and 72 hr post-CD. At each time point, we assessed thromboelastographic and other standard laboratory coagulation indices. We used a linear mixed-effects regression model (SAS(®) PROC MIXED) to assess between-group differences for individual thromboelastographic and laboratory coagulation parameters.The median [interquartile range] ages of women were 38 [37-41] yr and 29 [25-34] yr in the AMA and non-AMA groups, respectively (P < 0.001). We observed no statistically significant effect of study group on any thromboelastographic or laboratory coagulation parameters. No statistically significant correlations were found between any thromboelastographic parameter and maternal age. Peripartum thromboelastography and coagulation profiles of healthy AMA and healthy non-AMA women up to 72 hr post-CD were also similar.These data suggest that maternal thromboelastographic profiles of healthy AMA and non-AMA women undergoing elective CD are similar. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01416454).

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12630-014-0300-0

    View details for PubMedID 25549988

  • The impact of breastfeeding on postpartum pain after vaginal and cesarean delivery. Journal of clinical anesthesia Wen, L., Hilton, G., Carvalho, B. 2015; 27 (1): 33-38

    Abstract

    Oxytocin may play a role in pain modulation. The analgesic effects of breastfeeding with its associated endogenous oxytocin release have not been well investigated. To determine the impact of breastfeeding on incisional, perineal, and cramping pain after cesarean and vaginal delivery.Institutional review board-approved prospective observational study.Labor and delivery and maternity wards.Healthy (American Society of Anesthesiology physical statuses 1 and 2) multiparous women who had cesarean (n = 40) and vaginal (n = 43) deliveries of singleton term infants and who were breastfeeding were enrolled.Women completed diaries to record incisional, perineal, or cramping pain scores 5 minutes before, during, and 5 minutes after breastfeeding.Demographic, obstetric, and neonatal variables, as well as analgesic use, were recorded.There was no difference in incisional pain before, during, and after breastfeeding in women post-cesarean delivery. Cramping pain was significantly increased during, as compared with before or after breastfeeding in both the vaginal (P < .001) and cesarean (P < .001) delivery cohorts.There was no analgesic effect on incisional pain during breastfeeding, indicating that endogenous oxytocin associated with breastfeeding may not play a significant role in postpartum cesarean wound pain modulation. Breastfeeding increased cramping pain after vaginal and cesarean delivery. The increase in cramping pain is most likely due to the breastfeeding-associated oxytocin surge increasing uterine tone.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jclinane.2014.06.010

    View details for PubMedID 25468582

  • Prospective longitudinal cohort questionnaire assessment of labouring women's preference both pre- and post-delivery for either reduced pain intensity for a longer duration or greater pain intensity for a shorter duration. British journal of anaesthesia Carvalho, B., Hilton, G., Wen, L., Weiniger, C. F. 2014; 113 (3): 468-473

    Abstract

    Assessments of labour pain focus on pain intensity, not on duration. We aimed to assess the importance labouring women apply to pain intensity and duration before labour and post-delivery.Forty healthy women scheduled for labour induction were enrolled in this institutional review board-approved, prospective cohort study. Participants completed a pain preference questionnaire before active labour and within 24-h of delivery. The questionnaire consisted of seven stem questions that evaluated preference for pain intensity or duration. The pain preference ratio was determined by dividing the percentage of women who preferred reduced pain intensity for longer duration by that of those who preferred greater pain intensity for shorter duration (estimate of the odds). The overall hypothetical pain burden was determined by multiplying intensity by time. All questions presented the same overall hypothetical pain burden.Pain preference questionnaire scores demonstrated preference for low intensity pain for a longer duration rather than higher intensity for a shorter duration, both pre-labour (P<0.001) and post-delivery (P<0.001): the null median imputed as 3 of 6 (i.e. no preference for pain intensity over pain duration). This preference for pain duration over intensity was greater post-delivery compared with before labour (P=0.03). There was a significant correlation (r=0.83; P=0.04) between the pain preference ratio vs overall hypothetical pain burden before labour but not after delivery (r=0.28; P=0.59).In this preliminary labour assessment, women preferred lower pain intensity at the cost of longer pain duration. This suggests that pain intensity is the primary driver of hypothetical pain burden-a preference reinforced post-delivery.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/bja/aeu149

    View details for PubMedID 24907280

  • Steps Toward a National Disaster Plan for Obstetrics OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY Daniels, K., Oakeson, A. M., Hilton, G. 2014; 124 (1): 154-158

    Abstract

    Hospitals play a central role in disasters by receiving an influx of casualties and coordinating medical efforts to manage resources. However, plans have not been fully developed in the event the hospital itself is severely damaged, either from natural disasters like earthquakes or tornados or manmade events such as a massive electrical failure or terrorist attacks. Of particular concern is the limited awareness of the obstetric units' specialized needs in the world of disaster planning. Within the same footprint of any obstetric unit, there exists a large variety of patient acuity and needs including laboring women, postoperative patients, and healthy postpartum patients with their newborns. An obstetric-specific triage method is paramount to accurately assess and rapidly triage patients during a disaster. An example is presented here called OB TRAIN (Obstetric Triage by Resource Allocation for Inpatient). To accomplish a comprehensive obstetric disaster plan, there must be 1) national adoption of a common triage and evacuation language including an effective patient tracking system to avoid maternal-neonatal separation; 2) a stratification of maternity hospital levels of care; and 3) a collaborative network of obstetric hospitals, both regionally and nationally. However, obstetric disaster planning goes beyond evacuation and must include plans for shelter-in-place and surge capacity, all uniquely designed for the obstetric patient. Disasters, manmade or natural, are neither predictable nor preventable, but we can and should prepare for them.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000326

    View details for Web of Science ID 000337734000022

    View details for PubMedID 24901273

  • On-time scheduled cesarean delivery start time process-improvement initiative. Obstetrics and gynecology Blumenfeld, Y. J., Riley, E., Hilton, G., Lee, H. C., El-Sayed, Y. Y., Druzin, M. L. 2014; 123: 138S-9S

    Abstract

    Cesarean deliveries comprise approximately 30% of all births, many of which are scheduled. Given the labile nature of labor and delivery units, scheduled cesarean deliveries are often delayed. Our aim was to improve on-time scheduled cesarean delivery start times.A multidisciplinary team (obstetrician-gynecologist, nursing, anesthesia, and hospital administration) met to review scheduled cesarean delivery data, identify logistic barriers to on-time starts, and develop a plan to improve cesarean delivery start times. After identifying possible barriers to on-time starts, the following process was instituted: planned preoperative visit 1-2 days before scheduled cesarean delivery, mandatory submission of History & Physical and consent forms by the time of the preoperative visit, and initial preparation of the first scheduled patient for cesaren delivery by nighttime nursing before morning change of shift. The process launched on March 1, 2013. Data from scheduled cesarean deliveries 6 months before and 3 months after the initiative were reviewed and analyzed.Of 1,298 total cesarean deliveries, 423 were scheduled, defined as cesarean delivery scheduled at least 24 hours in advance (300 before and 123 after the initiative). Sixty-four of 300 scheduled cesarean deliveries (21.3%) were on time before compared with 67 of 123 (54.5%) after the initiative began (P<.001). Among delayed cases, there was no difference in the average delay time between those before and after the initiative (55.7 compared with 54.4 minutes P=.93); however, 50.7% of cases were either on time or delayed by 15 minutes or less before the initiative compared with 69.9% of cases after (P<.001).A multidisciplinary initiative significantly increased scheduled cesarean delivery on-time start times.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/01.AOG.0000447113.07157.f3

    View details for PubMedID 24770007

  • Chapter 12: Obstetric Events Crisis Management in Anesthesiology Hilton, G. Elsevier. 2014; 2nd
  • Anesthetic management of a parturient with VACTERL association undergoing Cesarean delivery CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA-JOURNAL CANADIEN D ANESTHESIE Hilton, G., Mihm, F., Butwick, A. 2013; 60 (6): 570-576

    Abstract

    PURPOSE: We present the anesthetic management of a parturient with VACTERL association undergoing combined regional and general anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. Defined as a syndrome, VACTERL association comprises at least three of the following abnormalities: vertebral, anal atresia, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient's anatomic abnormalities and comorbidities comprised severe cervicothoracic scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, congenitally fused ribs, and severe restrictive lung disease. She had a Mallampati class 3 airway, a right laterally flexed neck, and reduced mandibular protrusion. We performed a lumbar spine ultrasound for epidural placement which was used to provide peri- and postoperative analgesia. Due to the anticipated difficult tracheal intubation, the patient underwent an awake fibreoptic intubation and subsequently received general anesthesia. The patient's trachea was extubated on the first postoperative day, and she received adequate post-Cesarean epidural analgesia. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the challenges that anesthesiologists face when managing parturients at extremely high risk for perioperative anesthetic morbidity due to the presence of severe pre-existing disease, anticipated difficult airway, and major spinal abnormalities complicating neuraxial anesthesia. We used a combined general and epidural anesthetic approach to control ventilation, provide effective postoperative analgesia, and reduce the risk of anesthetic-related perioperative morbidity. An individualized approach should be considered for the anesthetic management of high-risk pregnant patients with complex and multiple medical and surgical morbidities undergoing labour and delivery.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12630-013-9919-5

    View details for Web of Science ID 000319416000009

  • Continuous spinal anesthesia for Cesarean hysterectomy and massive hemorrhage in a parturient with placenta increta CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA-JOURNAL CANADIEN D ANESTHESIE Sultan, P., Hilton, G., Butwick, A., Carvalho, B. 2012; 59 (5): 473-477

    Abstract

    We present anesthetic management using a continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) technique in a patient with placenta increta who underwent elective Cesarean hysterectomy with massive postpartum hemorrhage.A 34-yr-old parturient (G3P2) was scheduled for Cesarean delivery and possible hysterectomy at 35(+3) weeks due to suspected placenta accreta. Her body mass index was 21 kg·m(-2) and she had a reassuring airway. Inadvertent dural puncture occurred during combined spinal-epidural (CSE) placement, and a decision was made to thread the epidural catheter and utilize a CSA technique. Following delivery of a healthy infant, morbid adherence of the placenta to the myometrium was confirmed, and a supracervical hysterectomy was performed. Eight litres of blood loss occurred postpartum requiring resuscitation with crystalloid 3,800 mL, colloid 1,500 mL, red blood cells 16 units, fresh frozen plasma 16 units, platelets 4 units, and cryoprecipitate 1 unit. The patient developed pulmonary edema requiring conversion to general anesthesia. The patient's cardiovascular status was stable throughout surgery, and her lungs were mechanically ventilated for 18 hr postoperatively in the intensive care unit. The intrathecal catheter was removed 24 hr after placement. She developed no adverse neurological sequelae and reported no postdural puncture headache. The pathology report confirmed placenta increta.A CSA technique may be a viable option in the event of inadvertent dural puncture during planned CSE or epidural placement in patients with a reassuring airway undergoing Cesarean delivery. Although a catheter-based neuraxial technique is appropriate for Cesarean hysterectomy for abnormal placentation, conversion to general anesthesia may be required in the event of massive perioperative hemorrhage and fluid resuscitation.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12630-012-9681-0

    View details for PubMedID 22395824

  • Non-invasive haemoglobin measurement in patients undergoing elective Caesarean section BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA Butwick, A., Hilton, G., Carvalho, B. 2012; 108 (2): 271-277

    Abstract

    The ability to measure haemoglobin (Hb) real-time and non-invasively offers important clinical value in the assessment of acute changes in maternal Hb during the peripartum period. This study evaluates the Masimo Rainbow SET(®) Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter in a pregnant population undergoing Caesarean section (CS).Fifty patients undergoing elective CS were enrolled in this prospective, controlled study and followed for 48 h after surgery. Non-invasive Masimo Hb (SpHb) values were compared with laboratory Hb values from venous blood samples drawn at baseline, immediately post-CS, and 24 h post-CS using the Bland-Altman plots. Longitudinal analysis of SpHb changes over time was performed using mixed-effects regression modelling.For the comparison between SpHb and laboratory Hb, SpHb displayed a significant positive bias at baseline {1.22 g dl(-1) [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-1.54]} and at 24 h post-CS [1.36 g dl(-1) (95% CI: 1.04-1.68)]. The bias immediately post-CS was 0.14 g dl(-1) (95% CI: -0.18 to 0.46). The limits of agreement at baseline, immediately post-CS, and at 24 h post-CS were: -0.9 and 3.33, -2.35 and 2.56, and -0.55 and 3.27 g dl(-1), respectively. The mean decrease in SpHb from baseline to 48 h post-CS was ?1 g dl(-1).The variability in bias and limits of agreements of the Rainbow SET(®) Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter SpHb may limit its clinical utility for assessing Hb concentration in patients undergoing elective CS. Modifications are needed in the calibration of the device to improve accuracy and precision in an obstetric setting. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01108471) before participant enrolment: URL=http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01108471?term=butwick&rank=1.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/bja/aer373

    View details for Web of Science ID 000299414800015

    View details for PubMedID 22116296

  • Non-invasive measurement of hemoglobin during cesarean hysterectomy: a case series INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA Butwick, A. J., Hilton, G., Riley, E. T., Carvalho, B. 2011; 20 (3): 240-245

    Abstract

    Obstetric patients diagnosed with abnormal placentation (placenta accreta, increta or percreta) are at increased risk of major postpartum hemorrhage and cesarean hysterectomy. Obstetric anesthesiologists are primarily involved in intraoperative transfusion management in these cases. Hemoglobin assessment is invaluable for assisting transfusion decision-making during the acute period of obstetric hemorrhage. However, laboratory and point-of-care tests of hemoglobin concentration are time-dependent and intermittent, and do not provide a real-time assessment of change during the acute phase of blood loss. A new non-invasive hemoglobin monitor has been introduced recently, which provides real-time measurement of hemoglobin values (SpHb) using multi-wavelength pulse co-oximetry. We present a review of five patients with suspected abnormal placentation who received SpHb monitoring during cesarean hysterectomy at our institution. We discuss the potential clinical utility of non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring for pregnant patients at high risk of obstetric hemorrhage, and the potential role of SpHb in guiding transfusion therapy.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijoa.2011.03.009

    View details for Web of Science ID 000293042800009

    View details for PubMedID 21640577

  • What were the perceptions of primary care teams on learning from a single multidisciplinary simulation-based training intervention? Education for primary care : an official publication of the Association of Course Organisers, National Association of GP Tutors, World Organisation of Family Doctors Strachan, A. N., Graham, A. C., Hormis, A. P., Hilton, G. 2011; 22 (4): 229-234

    Abstract

    Medical emergencies in general practice are uncommon and their management requires good teamwork, communication and effective use of the available resources by the whole primary care team. To address this need the Montagu Clinical Simulation Centre developed and delivered a half-day simulation-based medical emergencies course for primary care teams (GPs, practice nurses and administrative staff). Each half-day course comprises two simulated medical emergencies, which are video-taped and then debriefed. The course was evaluated using a multi-level approach by seeking the staff's reactions to the course, their learning, the behaviour changes produced and the results for the organisation. We gained this information through self-reporting using end-of-course and follow-up questionnaires. The immediate feedback was very positive, showing they had learnt the objectives set. We then surveyed all those who had attended training between 2003 and 2007. A follow-up questionnaire was developed and sent to the practice managers who then co-ordinated their completion and return using a pre-paid return envelope. The survey was carried out in two cohorts. The first set of follow-up questionnaires was sent out in September 2004 to all those that had attended up to the end of May 2004 and the second set sent out in May 2008 to those who had attended between June 2004 and May 2007. Of the 338 available to complete the follow-up questionnaire, 208 responded, giving a response rate of 62%. Eighty percent of practices had made changes to equipment, emergency protocols or training and 20% of the participants had been involved in managing a medical emergency since attending the course. Of those, 86% indicated that their management and confidence had improved, that they were better able to take a lead role, give instruction and delegate tasks as required. Based on the self-reported perceptions of learning, we believe that the lessons learnt have been translated into positive changes at a personal and practice level for all members of the primary care team. The participants valued the chance to train as a complete unit. We plan to evaluate simulation-based training in the workplace to see if this has a greater impact.

    View details for PubMedID 21781389

  • Failure to Ventilate with the Drager Apollo (R) Anesthesia Workstation ANESTHESIOLOGY Hilton, G., Moll, V., Zumaran, A. A., Jaffe, R. A., Brock-Utne, J. G. 2011; 114 (5): 1238-1240

    View details for Web of Science ID 000289980200029

    View details for PubMedID 21430517

  • Kinked Perifix® FX Springwound epidural catheters Canadian Journal of Anesthesia Hilton, G., Jette, C. G., Ouyang, Y., Riley, E. T. 2011; 58 (4): 413-14
  • Prolonged propofol infusions in pregnant neurosurgical patients JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGICAL ANESTHESIOLOGY Hilton, G., Andrzejowski, J. C. 2007; 19 (1): 67-68

    View details for Web of Science ID 000243186800012

    View details for PubMedID 17198107

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