Freedom Weekend !

Llewellyn Davies

27 Apr 2025 — 5 min read

Hello again everyone ! I hope everyone is having a great April with all the public holidays. I feel like this month is so disrupted with all these holidays I struggle to know which day of the week it is. But nevertheless in case you weren’t aware today is freedom day but more on that later.

First, we have to celebrate Dr Onwukike birthday today. This lovely lady drives the biggest car, I think, in the department and has the ability to park it with elegance! Although sometimes I don’t know if you are allowed to take up two parkings ? She is a strong presence that ways has a smile and a passion for anaesthesia ! We wish you well and many more!

Monday

What is freedom day?

Freedom Day in South Africa is celebrated annually on April 27th to commemorate the country's first democratic elections held in 1994. These elections marked the end of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, and allowed citizens of all races to vote for the first time. Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first Black president during this historic event.

In 2025, Freedom Day falls on a Sunday. According to the Public Holidays Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday. Therefore, South Africans will have an additional day off on Monday, April 28th, 2025.

While Freedom Day is a time for celebration, it also serves as a moment for reflection. Recent reports indicate that some South Africans are expressing concerns about the state of the nation's freedoms and democratic values. For instance, the organization Free SA has warned that certain actions by the government may be eroding civil liberties, highlighting the importance of vigilance in preserving the rights gained in 1994.

As the country commemorates this significant milestone, it's an opportunity to honor the progress made since the end of apartheid and to engage in discussions about the ongoing challenges facing South Africa's democracy.

Looking for something to do tomorrow?

AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL

The Autumn Harvest Festival is a celebration of the changing seasons, inviting you to slow down and embrace the beauty of autumn.

This festival is more than just a market – it’s an opportunity to experience the harvest firsthand, with workshops that let you gather, create, and learn in a hands-on setting – a rare chance to connect with the land and the season in a meaningful way.

Wander through a relaxed, festive market filled with handmade goods, farm-fresh produce, and seasonal delights, enjoy live music, and immerse yourself in a day of learning, tasting, and celebrating. Whether you’re here to discover something new or simply soak in the autumn atmosphere, this festival is an experience not to be missed.

DATE:
Monday, 28 April 2025 (Public Holiday)

WORKSHOPS:
Starting from 8AM

MARKET:
Open to public from 10AM

Live music will keep the vibe going throughout the day, into a beautiful sunset!

Tuesday

With that the 2025 strategically placed public holidays are over and now its back to work but don’t worry there are others coming up soon so don’t dispair... I thought it would be nice to kick the week off with an update in what’s new in anaesthesia as a general comment. Look, I’m a bit far from part 2s so this isn’t going to be anything about the best way to anaesthetize a Spelling TOF or the likes of.

Anesthesiology is undergoing significant advancements, integrating cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices to enhance patient safety, personalize care, and improve clinical outcomes. Here are some of the most notable developments:

1. Ciprofol: A Promising Alternative to Propofol

Ciprofol (also known as cipepofol or HSK3486) is an investigational intravenous anesthetic that has shown promise as a potent alternative to propofol. Clinical trials suggest that ciprofol is 4–6 times more potent than propofol, with a rapid onset and fewer side effects such as injection pain and respiratory depression. It has been evaluated in various procedures, including gynecological surgeries, colonoscopies, and ICU sedation, demonstrating comparable efficacy and safety profiles to propofol.

2. AI-Driven Anesthesia Systems and Automation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing anesthesia through the development of intelligent decision support systems (AIDSS) and automated control mechanisms. These systems utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time physiological data, enabling precise adjustments to anesthetic delivery. For instance, Policy Constraint Q-Learning (PCQL) is a reinforcement learning approach designed to personalize propofol infusion, aligning closely with anesthesiologists' dosing decisions while enhancing responsiveness to patient vitals.

3. Advanced Patient Monitoring and Closed-Loop Systems

Modern anesthesia machines are increasingly equipped with advanced monitoring capabilities and closed-loop systems.These technologies allow for real-time assessment of patient parameters and automatic adjustments to anesthetic delivery.For example, target-controlled low-flow anesthesia systems automate fresh gas flow rates to maintain specific end-tidal anesthetic concentrations, optimizing efficiency and reducing waste.

4. Sustainable Practices in Anesthesia

Environmental sustainability is becoming a priority in anesthesiology. Efforts are underway to reduce the ecological impact of anesthetic agents, such as phasing out desflurane due to its high greenhouse gas emissions. Future practices may involve the exclusive use of intravenous agents tailored to individual patient profiles, along with the adoption of biodegradable materials and reusable equipment to minimize waste.

5. Educational Innovations: Simulation and Virtual Reality

Anesthesia education is embracing simulation-based learning and virtual reality (VR) to enhance training. High-fidelity simulators and VR platforms provide immersive environments for residents to practice complex procedures and emergency responses, improving decision-making skills and confidence. The flipped classroom model further supports this by allowing learners to engage with theoretical content online, reserving in-person sessions for interactive, case-based discussions.

These advancements signify a transformative period in anesthesiology, with technology and innovation driving improvements in patient care, safety, and environmental responsibility.

What I see is more time for coffee breaks and reading while the machine does everything !

Wednesday

As is my tradition here is dad joke Wednesday!

Patient: "How will I know when the anaesthetic kicks in?"
Anaesthetist: "You won't. That's the point."

Why do anaesthetists make terrible magicians?
Because when they say “You’ll be amazed!”... you just fall asleep.

Anaesthesia: because sometimes, "Just breathe deeply and relax" needs a little chemical encouragement

Thursday

I really dont have anything to say about Thursday ? its that awkward day in the week when you can smell the weekend but also have to get through level 6 liver brigade and hope you aren’t whippling until dawn… so ill give this day a skip. Maybe go read up about a liver resection or something ?

https://www.bjaed.org/article/S2058-5349(22)00076-2/fulltext