Analysis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Presented Across US Academic Department of Surgery Websites in 2021

Despite increased attention devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within academic medicine, representation, lack of workforce and leadership diversity, and bias within medicine remain persistent problems. The purpose of the current study was to understand the current efforts and attention to DEI within academic departments of surgery in the United States. 251 department of surgery websites were reviewed, using a standardized data collection form and scoring procedure, accompanied by a 10 percent fidelity check by an independent reviewer. Only 16% of departments of surgery included DEI-specific information, such as a DEI mission statement or initiatives on their departmental sites, with less than seven percent of departments reporting a DEI committee. Such public information may have implications for recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and trainees, downstream effects for patient care, and could be critical to public accountability to improve diversity and create a culture of equity and inclusion.

Pre-oxygenation: a comparison of two techniques using a Bain system

Pre-oxygenation using a standard technique of tidal breathing for 3 min through a Bain system with a fresh gas flow of 8 l.min-1 was compared with up to six vital capacity breaths from the same system. The technique of vital capacity breaths involved initial expiration to residual volume and use of the oxygen flush throughout controlled full inspirations, ensuring that the reservoir bag remained full. No significant problems were encountered using this method. Although three vital capacity breaths produced significantly inferior pre-oxygenation compared to 3 min of normal breathing, four and five vital capacity breaths were equally effective. With six vital capacity breaths, superior pre-oxygenation was produced. The use of four or more vital capacity breaths with this technique is a reliable and rapid alternative to 3 min of tidal breathing.