8 May 2020Some highlights: President's message | Drug shortages | Audit initiative - intubateCOVID | NZSA website redevelopment | Government 2020 Budget | Common Issues Group meeting | NZSA Overseas Sub-Committee news | webAIRS news | World Congress postponed | In the media | Events President's messageThe NZSA extends a warm congratulations and welcome to Dr Vanessa Beavis, who is the new ANZCA President. It was novel to watch on Zoom as Dr Beavis became ANZCA's first 'virtual' President at the first ever virtual AGM on Monday evening. My department at Auckland City were able to congratulate and toast Vanessa in a short Zoom catch up, directly after the AGM. She looked quite the part surrounded by scholarly journals and with a replica ANZCA President's medal (made by her proud husband Brian). It was great to be able to congratulate her in real time, if not in the flesh. We look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership with ANZCA and thank previous ANZCA President Dr Rod Mitchell for his outstanding vision and leadership. Drug shortagesThe NZSA wishes to highlight PHARMAC’s most recent communication from Wednesday this week. Read the full letter here. As a summary, there is a global shortage of propofol. We have our usual two month stock in New Zealand, but in order to avoid a critical shortage, we need a nationwide response decreasing propofol use. We can do this by avoiding TIVA unless significant clinical indications exist. PHARMAC has been actively working on maintaining and increasing supplies of other medicines and has alternatives in place for upcoming fentanyl 100mcg/2ml and suxamethonium shortages. They maybe section 29. PHARMAC has no current jurisdiction or control over the supply of non-pharmaceutical consumables. Practicalities: As ANZCA professional document PS 51 states, using a large vial for more than one patient should be avoided to minimise cross infection. However in the current situation where large ampoules may become the only ones available to avoid large amounts of drug wastage, safely splitting ampoules may be commonplace and common sense. If large ampoules are to be split, this should be performed in a clean operating room prior to patient entry and the drugs must be labelled and stored appropriately (i.e. capped syringes). ANZCA are actively reviewing PS 51 and more information will no doubt be released shortly. We will actively notify you as and when the situation changes; also please check the PHARMAC website that is updated regularly. Audit initiative - intubateCOVIDNew Zealand has joined an international initiative to discover more about anaesthetists and their assistants who are undertaking airway management for patients who are either COVID-19 positive or suspected. The Difficult Airway Society, in association with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, have developed intubateCOVID to anonymously collect data on intubation episodes and details of any symptoms which develop in airway managers and assistants following COVID-19 airway management. This study, launched on 23 March 2020, had collected 4660 intubations worldwide by 29 April 2020. This database is already producing very useful information regarding airway management from these patients. New Zealand joins 13 other countries in this project. The incidence of COVID-19 in healthcare workers is thought to be higher than the general population. This incidence may be higher in healthcare workers who have been exposed to high viral loads while undertaking aerosol-generating procedures, such as tracheal intubation. There is currently no large-scale data on the association between airway management and the development of COVID-19. The NZSA has agreed to support this project and the NZSA logo will be added alongside many other respectable organisations supporting this initiative. More here NZSA website redevelopmentEasy to find information, dynamic content, visual appeal and a simple, secure member login/renewal process will be features of the new NZSA website. Work on redeveloping our website is now well underway. The layout of information will be simplified and streamlined, with most items categorised under our three key pillars of work, either advocacy, community or education. A new website will enable us to regularly post new content – from highlighting CPD events, to changes in medicines access. Upgrading the website will allow for more engagement such as accessing information about our sub-specialty networks, opportunities to work in the Pacific, resources and guidance on private practice, our submissions, and news stories. We are also
redeveloping our database to meet our operational needs, including better collection of individual member data such as ethnicity and age, so we can understand our demographic and be more responsive to member needs. NZSA office during lockdownThe NZSA Executive and staff are working remotely and will return to the office once it is safe. They continue to work together collaboratively on the NZSA's work programme. The office number (04) 494 0124 has been redirected to CEO Renu Borst, however cannot be transferred to other parties. To contact staff directly:
NZSA membership renewalsReminder letters for NZSA membership renewals have been sent to members who have not yet paid. At a time of such uncertainty due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of some of our events, the NZSA is vulnerable like all small business. Our mandate is to support you and we ask that you support your organisation and staff. To renew your membership, please contact Lynne Wood membership@anaesthesia.nz. We look forward to your ongoing engagement and support. Combined Scientific CongressWe sent an email out to all members last week to advise on the status of this meeting. In case you missed it here is the joint message from NZSA President Dr Kathyn Hagen and ASA President Dr Suzi Nou: It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of the NZSA and ASA Combined Scientific Congress which was due to be held 16-19 October 2020 in Wellington. As I’m sure you can all appreciate this has not been an easy decision, but with the current coronavirus pandemic we cannot hold a such a meeting in these uncertain times. The NZSA and ASA Combined Scientific Congress will now be held in Wellington in 2022 and we would be delighted if you could plan to join us then. We look forward to welcoming you to Wellington in 2022. Government 2020 BudgetThe NZSA has joined other health organisations calling for the Government's Budget (14 May) to rebuild our economy in a way that equitably supports economic wellbeing, addresses climate change, and improves people’s health. The NZSA is one of the signatories of a letter written by Ora Taiao (the NZ Climate and Health Council) which was sent to Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance; Hon James Shaw, Associate Minister of Finance; and Hon Shane Jones, Associate Minister of Finance. The NZSA is a member of Ora Taiao and the letter is strongly aligned with Ora Taiao's Health Professionals Call to Action on Climate Change. Find out more about the excellent work of Ora Taiao here. Common Issues Group meetingNZSA CEO Renu Borst had a Zoom call with all the Common Issues Group (CIG) CEO's yesterday to provide operational updates. The CIG comprises of six English speaking societies: ASA (Australia), ASA (US), South Africa, New Zealand, Great Britain and Ireland, and Canada. Some key items discussed were: global drug shortages, the need for PPE guidelines (the UK has done considerable work on this) and the impact of event cancellations on each Society's finances. Overseas Aid Sub-Committee newsThe NZSA’s Overseas Aid Sub-Committee has been in regular contact with the Pacific Society of Anaesthetists and other regional organisations, sharing information and offering support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, OASC member Dr Ted Hughes has been based in the Cook Islands, directly supporting their effort. NZSA has joined with the ASA and ANZCA, providing funds for additional Lifebox pulse oximeters for the Pacific. So far, 150 additional units will be delivered across the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Laos and Micronesia. These units will be very useful in guiding treatment (o2 therapy flowchart) of COVID-related respiratory illness in settings where ventilators are a very limited resource. Bookmark the NZSA OASC page on our website for updates on the OASC's work programme and opportunities for Pacific engagement. COVID-19 Critical Care CollaborativeThe NZSA is a member of a newly established alliance "the COVID-19 Critical Care Collaborative" to advance COVID-19 critical care through advocacy and guidance on models of care. The Collaborative released a statement last month Managing the senior medical workforce in intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The other member organisations are: ANZCA, the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, the College of Intensive Care of Australia and New Zealand, and the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. webAIRS COVID-19 newsThe following recently reported webAIRS incidents highlight COVID-19 crisis related issues: Medication route error and equipment unfamiliar: Staff from the day procedure unit, had been re-allocated to the recovery ward due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mistakenly connected a ropivacaine infusion to an IV cannula instead of the femoral nerve catheter. The infusion was ceased, appropriate staff alerted, investigations performed, and the patient transferred for a period of cardiac monitoring. Environment unfamiliar: An intubation drug pack was carried from theatre to the ED for a successful intubation of a suspected COVID-19 patient, who was then transferred to ICU. When the registrar returned to the ED to complete paperwork, he found the unused/remaining medications lying unattended outside the negative pressure room in ED. These events highlight the requirement for taking extra care and giving extra attention to staff who may be working with new protocols in unfamiliar environments; and ensuring that processes are also in place to designate the appropriate responsibility for return or disposal of any unused medications. The webAIRS website home page has been updated to inform anaesthetists of the new webAIRS COVID-19 introduction page and Anaesthetic Notices to Anaesthetists (ANA) Alerts. We encourage anaesthetists to report any incidents with COVID-19 patient management and will provide regular notifications of issues via the ANA - Alerts. Reporting an incident also qualifies for CPD points. Instructions for accessing the COVID-19 reporting and the Alerts are on the webAIRS landing page. Please login or register: webAIRS website and select the ANA -Alerts menu option. Did you know that reporting an incident qualifies for CPD points? Visit the webAIRS website to register or email anztadc@anzca.edu.au WFSA World Congress PragueIn light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 17th WFSA World Congress of Anaesthesiologists has been postponed. The event was due to be held in Prague, Czech Republic 5-9 September this year, and is now planned to take place 4-8 September 2021 in the same location. The scientific programme developed for September 2020 will form the basis of an updated programme. Delegate registrations and abstract submissions will be automatically transferred. WFSA will send information about the General Assembly, elections and other governance matters to National Member Societies for their consideration and input. In the mediaThe NZSA is regularly sharing key media articles via our social media channels Twitter and Facebook. Some media coverage highlighted below: EventsTo find out about more events visit NZSA Events page. We are updating the status of events regularly, including new dates for events postponed due to COVID-19. Real World Anaesthesia Course, 23-27 Nov 2020, Christchurch Anaesthesia Continuing EducationThe ACE website is a one-stop shop for anaesthesia events. Members convening conferences, workshops or meetings, which assist CPD requirements, are encouraged to add their event to the website. Advertising and quick links |