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American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Member, Kevin K. Tremper, Ph.D., M.D. will deliver the Emery A. Rovenstine Memorial Lecture at the ASA Annual Meeting, ANESTHESIOLOGY 2010, October 18 in San Diego. Since 1991, Dr. Tremper has served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. His presentation will focus on the use of perioperative information systems to improve patient outcomes.
"The Rovenstine Lecture is the premier event at the ASA’s Annual Meeting, and we are honored to welcome Dr. Tremper to the stage this year," said Alexander A. Hannenberg, M.D., ASA President. Dr. Tremper’s research continues anesthesiology’s relentless pursuit of safety and his lengthy career as an educator exemplifies Dr. Rovenstine’s contributions to the field of anesthesiology."
Dr. Tremper began his career as a chemical engineer where he researched mathematical modeling of blood flow through tissue. These studies led him to pioneer advances in continuous noninvasive oxygen monitoring and investigation of a perfluorochemical blood substitute. Most recently, his focus has been on the use of data from perioperative anesthesia management information systems (AIMS) for clinical outcomes research, which is the topic of his lecture.
"Data from AIMS and other clinical databases will allow us to develop care plans for patients that are tailored to the patient’s needs," said Dr. Tremper. "Anesthesia and surgery is a total body stress test for a patient. We collect information from patients, before and during surgery, and then are able to determine how best to care for patients post-operatively."
Dr. Tremper said AIMS may potentially reduce health care costs by providing the information needed to design a perioperative plan for a specific patient’s needs. Appropriate use of resources prior to, and during, surgery may lead to less intensive, costly care postoperatively.
"In today’s environment of health care reform, information systems help address issues surrounding the cost of health care," said Dr. Tremper. "We hope that the most appropriate care would cost less by reducing preventable postoperative complications."
During the lecture, Dr. Tremper will compare the development of medical information systems with the work the airline industry has done to increase efficiencies and safety over the last 100 years.
"We are on the verge of another revolution in patient care," said Dr. Tremper. "Soon we will not only collect the information, but also analyze it in real time."
