Anesthesia Patient Safety Podcast Archive

A “red meat allergy” sounds like a dietary footnote until it becomes a medication and device safety problem in the operating room. Alpha-gal syndrome is an IgE-mediated allergy to a carbohydrate found in non-primate mammalian tissues, and its delayed, inconsistent reactions can make it hard to recognize and even harder to manage under anesthesia. We sit down with cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Maziar Nurian to translate what this diagnosis means for real perioperative care, from the preop interview to the PACU and beyond.

We walk through the practical signals that should raise suspicion, including long allergy lists that do not quite add up, nighttime symptoms after beef or pork, and prior unexplained reactions. Then we map the hidden exposure pathways that matter most to anesthesia teams: inactive ingredients that vary by manufacturer, gelatin-based surgical hemostatic products, biologics, and the big one for cardiac surgery, high-dose unfractionated heparin. You will hear how we think about risk without assuming heparin is automatically off-limits, why multidisciplinary planning changes outcomes, and what it looks like to be prepared for anaphylaxis when the usual skin clues may be covered.

We also get hands-on with tools and workflow. Dr. Nurian explains how to start screening exact formulations, why a single “safe list” is not realistic, and how an “alpha-gal safe bag” can reduce cognitive load and prevent accidental substitutions during handoffs. If you care about anesthesia patient safety, perioperative protocols, medication safety, and tick-borne allergies, this is a must-listen. Subscribe, share with your OR team, and leave a review so more clinicians can find these alpha-gal syndrome perioperative safety strategies.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/332-alpha-gal-syndrome-what-every-anesthesia-professional-needs-to-know/

© 2026, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Nausea shouldn’t be the most memorable part of surgery. We take a clear, evidence-based look at postoperative nausea and vomiting, from identifying who’s at risk to building smarter prophylaxis bundles and choosing the right rescue when prevention falls short. With guest insights from Dr. Connie Chung, we unpack the Fourth Consensus Guidelines, translate them into practical workflows, and explore how Amisulpride—an atypical D2 antagonist—changes the game with an FDA indication for rescue after failed prophylaxis.

We start by shrinking baseline risk: consider regional anesthesia when feasible, leverage TIVA with propofol, avoid nitrous and volatiles in longer cases, hydrate well, and spare opioids with multimodal analgesia. Then we scale prophylaxis to risk: dexamethasone at induction, 5-HT3 antagonists at the end, transdermal scopolamine for select patients, and low-dose Droperidol where appropriate. When prophylaxis fails, we explain why repeating ondansetron rarely helps and how switching classes boosts rescue success. Along the way, we map the safety terrain for D2 antagonists—QT prolongation, extrapyramidal risks, anticholinergic effects—so you can individualize care for elderly patients, those on antipsychotics, or anyone with potential drug interactions.

We also dig into what’s new: contemporary analyses of Droperidol at antiemetic doses, and growing evidence that Amisulpride pairs well with Ondansetron or Dexamethasone to improve outcomes. Pediatric pearls include TIVA, fluids, and a two-drug prophylaxis backbone for longer or higher-risk cases. The result is a practical, stepwise approach you can apply tomorrow—reduce risk, layer mechanisms, and rescue smartly—to cut PACU delays, avoid unplanned admissions, and deliver a recovery that feels as good as the surgical fix.

If this deep dive helps your practice, follow, share with your team, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Tell us your go-to PONV bundle and whether your site stocks Amisulpride.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/287-a-new-era-for-ponv-safety-guidelines-and-smarter-rescue/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Join us on a fascinating exploration with Alli Bechtel, a dedicated anesthesiologist and the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast host, who reveals the surprising journey from the United States to New Zealand in pursuit of a better work-life balance. Bechtel shares her unique insights into the supportive healthcare environment she found across the globe and the role of teamwork in ensuring patient safety in anesthesia. Her story provides a meaningful look at the personal and professional transitions involved in moving to a new country and how a close-knit hospital community can enhance medical practice.

Discover the evolution of anesthesia patient safety initiatives and the pivotal contributions of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF). Having joined the APSF during the pandemic, Alli recounts her path to becoming the host of their podcast, highlighting the foundation's dynamic shift from newsletters to engaging audio content. We discuss the APSF's commitment to collaboration and their comprehensive resources aimed at reducing errors and improving safety practices, sharing examples from recent publications that underscore the need for systemic solutions in anesthesia care.

This episode is a compelling blend of personal narrative, professional insight, and pioneering education strategies aimed at shaping the future of anesthesia practice.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/235-fresh-flow-podcast-takeover-advancing-patient-safety-from-a-to-n-to-zed/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Welcome to the next installment of the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast hosted by Alli Bechtel.  This podcast is an exciting journey towards improved anesthesia patient safety.

Tune in for a Rapid Response two-part series. First up, we discuss electronic interference between the radiofrequency detection wand, the Medtronic Situate Detection System X, and the Twitchview train of four monitorinng device from Blink Device Company. We also discuss the development of the pre-anesthesia machine checkout procedure before we review several cases of anesthesia machine malfunction next week.

Additional sound effects from: Zapsplat.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/182-rapid-response-electronic-interference-and-anesthesia-machine-malfunction-part-1/

© 2023, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Welcome to the next installment of the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast hosted by Alli Bechtel.  This podcast is an exciting journey towards improved anesthesia patient safety.

We are diving back into the APSF Archives to discuss complications following epidural steroid injections. It is critical to understand the risks and benefits for these procedures. Tune in today as we review strategies to help keep patients safe during epidural steroid injections.

Additional sound effects from: Zapsplat.

© 2022, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/130-keeping-patients-safe-during-epidural-steroid-injections/

Welcome to the next installment of the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast hosted by Alli Bechtel.  This podcast is an exciting journey towards improved anesthesia patient safety.

Do you provide nitrous oxide for labor analgesia on your labor and delivery units? Tune in today as we review the efficacy of this medication as well as the maternal, fetal, and occupational safety considerations. Plus, we have APSF Grant Recipient, Vesela Kovacheva, on the show today to discuss her exciting project and passion for maternal patient safety.

© 2021, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/78-nitrous-oxide-for-labor-analgesia/

Welcome to the next installment of the Anesthesia Patient Safety podcast hosted by Alli Bechtel.  This podcast is an exciting journey towards improved anesthesia patient safety.

For the last show of 2020, we return to the updated APSF Novel Coronavirus Anesthesia Resource Center to talk about the recently released joint statement by the ASA and APSF regarding elective surgery for patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Join us to learn more about isolation precautions, timing for elective surgery, and re-testing.

© 2020, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

 For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/25-keeping-patients-safe-after-covid-19-infection/