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Charles E. Cowles, Jr., M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Chief Safety Officer, Perioperative Enterprise, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

My area of interest is the prevention of fires in the OR and patient safety concerns with emphasis on awareness and training of hazards, physical plant design, adverse outcome investigations and root cause analysis.  My areas of clinical interest include pediatric anesthesiology, TIVA, neuroanesthesia, and awake craniotomies.

Research Interests

Operating Room Fires
Occupational Health of Anesthesia Providers

Clinical Interests

Operating Room Fire Prevention and Management

Awake Craniotomies

Pediatric Anesthesia

Neuroanesthesia including Intraoperative MRI and Neurological Function and Monitoring

Issues relating to Occupational Health of Anesthesia Providers

Patient Safety

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe
Unit Number: 409
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: FC 13.3048
Phone: 713-745-5026

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2004 University of Texas-Houston, Houston, TX, MD, Medicine
1998 University of Houston - Clear Lake, Houston, TX, BS, Sports Medicine
1998 University of the State of New York, Albany, NY, RN, Nursing

Postgraduate Training

7/2005-6/2008 Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Texas - Houston, Houston, TX, Dr. James Arens
6/2004-6/2005 Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine / Anesthesiology Categorical, University of Texas-Houston, Houston, TX, Dr. Frank Arnett

Board Certifications

4/2010 American Board of Anesthesiology

Experience/Service

Consultantships

Advisor, Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, Indianapolis, IN, 10/2008-present

Institutional Committee Activities

Co-Chair, ICEC Subcommittee for Patient Safety-Surgical and Invasive Procedures, 7/2012-present
Member, ICEC Subcommittee for Patient Safety-Incident Reporting, 7/2012-present
Member, Division of Surgery Safety Committee, 6/2011-present
Member, Infection Control Committee, 9/2010-present
Member, POE Task Force for Point of Care Testing, 6/2010-present
Ad hoc Advisor, Institutional Safety Committee, 4/2010-present
Member, Patient Safety Committee, 10/2009-present
Co-Chairman, Perioperative Safety Council, 3/2009-present
Chair, Critical Response Task Force, 1/2009-present
Vice Chair, Laser Safety Committee, 1/2009-present

Honors and Awards

2012 FDA Citation of Achievement, US Food and Drug Administration
2011 Twenty Year Award, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
2008 Outstanding Anesthesiology Resident in Neurosurgery, University of Texas- Houston Anesthesiology Department
2008 Outstanding Performance in Airway Management, University of Texas-Houston Anesthesiology Department
2006 Outstanding Junior Anesthesiology Resident, University of Texas-Houston Anesthesiology Department
2003-present Who's Who in America, Who's Who
2003-2004 President, UT Houston Medical Student Anesthesia Club
1993-present Who's Who in American Healthcare, Who's Who

Professional Memberships

American Society of Anesthesiologists, Chicago, IL
Member, Committee on Equipment and Facilities, 10/2011-present
Member, Committee of Respiratory Care, 1/2011-present
Member, ASA Task Force on Fire Prevention in the Operating Room, 11/2006-5/2008
Resident Member, Committee on Quality Management and Departmental Administration, 5/2005-5/2006
Member, 6/2002-present
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, Bedford, TX
Site Visitor, 10/2011-present
Program Referee, 9/2011-present
Chairman of International Accreditation Committee, 3/2011-7/2012
Board of Commissioners, 11/2010-present
Harris County Medical Society, Houston, TX
Delegate to TMA, 1/2013-present
Emergency Care Committee Member, 1/2012-present
Alternate Delagate to the TMA, 11/2011-1/2013
Member, 8/2000-present
Texas Medical Association, Austin, TX
Committeeman Membership Committee, 10/2012-present
Leadership College Scholar, 10/2011-5/2012
Member, 8/2000-present
Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, Austin, TX
Member, 9/2008-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Caplan RA, Barker SJ, Connis RT, Cowles C, de Richemond AL, Ehrenwerth J, Nickinovich DG, Pritchard DG, Roberson D. Practice Advisory for the Prevention and Managment of Operating Room Fires: An Updated Report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Operating Room Fires. Anesthesiology 118(2):271-290, 2/2013.
2. Spratt D, Cowles CE, Berguer R, Dennis V, Waters TR, Rodriguez M, Spry C, Groah L. Workplace safety equals patient safety. AORN J 96(3):235-44, 9/2012. PMID: 22935253.
3. , Caplan RA, Barker SJ, Connis RT, Cowles C, de Richemond AL, Ehrenwerth J, Nickinovich DG, Pritchard D, Roberson D, Wolf GL. Practice advisory for the prevention and management of operating room fires. Anesthesiology 108(5):786-801; quiz 971-2, 5/2008. PMID: 18431114.

Invited Articles
1. Stoelting RK, Feldman JM, Cowles CE, Bruley ME. Surgical Fire Injuries Continue to Occur. APSF Newsletter 26(3):41-43, www.apsf.org/newsletters/html/2012/winter/01_firesafety.htm, 1/2012.
2. Cowles CE. Q&A, Why Should I Learn About Fire Extinguishers. APSF Newsletter 25(3-4):59-60, http://www.apsf.org/newsletters/html/2011/winter/09_QA.htm, 2/2011.
Other Articles
1. Wild D. Anesthesiologists Unprepared for OR Fires, Survey Finds. Anesthesiology News 38(7), 7/2012.
2. Cowles CE, Skibber JM. Creating an Easy and Cost-Effective Solution for Patient Identification. UHC News(April 2012), www.uhc.edu/46481.htm, 4/2012.
3. ECRI Institute. New clinical guide to surgical fire prevention [guidance article]. Health Devices 38(19):314-332, 10/2009.
4. Heller A. ASA Issues Guidance for OR Fires. Anesthesiology News 34(7):1, 7/2008.
5. Cowles CE. ASA Advisory Addresses Operating Room Fires. Same-Day Surgery 1(6):64, 6/2008.
6. Cowles CE. ASA Advisory for OR Fires. Healthcare Life Safety Newsletter, 5/2008.

Abstracts
1. Cowles CE and Pivalizza EG. Survey of Surgical Personnel to Enact the “RACE-PASS” Fire Safety Plan. British Journal of Anaesthesia 108(Supplement 2):ii326-7 (#466.00), March 2012, 3/2012.
2. Rebello, E, Cowles C, Kee S, Hernandez M, Sapire K. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. Soc of Pediatric Anesthesia, San Antonio, TX,, 4/2010.
3. Rebello, E, Cowles C, Kee S, Hernandez M, Sapire K. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. Anesthesia and Analgesia 110(3):S 152 (#S 152), http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/, 3/2010.

Book Chapters
1. Cowles CE. Airway Fire. In: The 5 Minute Anesthesia Consult, First. Ed(s) N Singh-Ratcliff. Lippincott Williams and wilkins: Philadelphia, PA, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-4511-1894-0.
2. Cowles CE. Smoke Inhalation Injury. In: The 5 Minute Anesthesia Consull, First. Ed(s) N Singh-Ratcliff. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia, PA, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-4511-1894-0.
3. Cowles CE, Rozner MA. Never Yell Fire in a Crowded OR. In: Anesthetic Cases through the Core Clinical Competencies Looking Glass. 1, 1. Ed(s) Gallagher CJ, Lewis MC, Schwengel D. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge UK, 217-226, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-521-14413-1.
4. Cowles CE. The Operating Room Environment. In: Clinical Anesthesiology, 5th. Ed(s) D Mackey. Appleton and Lange: New York. Submitted.

Letters to the Editor
1. Cowles CE. Regarding fiberoptic intubation and laryngeal morbidity. Anesthesiology 108(6):1150-1; author reply 1151, 6/2008. PMID: 18497618.

Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
1. Cowles CE. EMS Clinical Guidelines and Protocols. San Jacinto College District: Pasadena, TX, 1/1996.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Surgical Fire Prevention Mobile Platform Education Application and Interactive Simulator
Funding Source: Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/2013 - 12/31/2013
 
Title: Healthcare Safety and Effectiveness Grants
Funding Source: University of Texas System
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2012 - 6/30/2013
 
Title: Medical Education in Quality, Safety, Medical Errors and Patient Outcomes
Funding Source: University of Texas Sytem
Role: Principal Investigator

Last updated: 1/23/2013