A TYPICAL EXPERIENCE

The Anesthetist is a highly trained individual who has completed many years of specialized anesthesia training and passed a national exam. Individuals facing the prospect of surgery are assured that an anesthetist will be present continually for your anesthetic during the operation.

Your surgeon or primary physician will perform your medical history and physical exam prior to surgery. Blood tests may be performed preoperatively. Results of these tests aid in the evaluation of your baseline health and any medical conditions you may have. The hemoglobin level (your blood count) is usually measured in women in the childbearing ages.

An EKG may be ordered to assist in the evaluation of heart function. Chest x-rays are ordered on people who are older or have possible heart or lung disease. Further tests may then be ordered if a patient's underlying medical condition warrants them.
Prior to the day of surgery, you will be asked to check in with the surgery department for a pre admission visit. You will be given instructions on the need to fast preoperatively, as well as any other pre-operative preparation. In general, a person should not have anything to eat or drink for at least 8 hours before surgery.

Small children are scheduled as early in the day as possible. If your child's procedure is scheduled later than early morning, other instructions regarding oral intake may be given at the time of the pre admission visit.
Most routine medication should be taken with a few sips of water upon awakening on the day of surgery.

 
Arrival at the Preoperative Area

Upon arrival, you will be admitted to the operating room area by the registration clerk. An identity bracelet will be attached to your wrist. A nurse will review your medical history and perform a brief physical assessment. You will be asked about underlying medical conditions and the medications you are taking. It is important to inform your anesthetist if you have a history of allergic reaction to specific medications. Your previous surgeries as well as your vital signs, height and weight will be recorded.

Prior to going to the operating room you will be interviewed by your anesthetist. Your history and physical and lab tests will be reviewed and options for types of anesthesia will be discussed. You will be asked to sign an anesthesia consent at this time.

 
Anesthetic plan

General Anesthesia occurs when a patient is rendered unconscious for surgery by anesthetic medicines. It is the most commonly performed anesthetic. Patients are anesthetized by two methods. In adults, injection of anesthetic medicines through an intravenous catheter (started before anesthesia after numbing the skin) begins the anesthetic state. Children are anesthetized by delivering an inhalation anesthetic through a pleasant smelling mask. The intravenous catheter is generally started in children after they are asleep.

After the induction of general anesthesia, anesthesia is maintained with a combination of inhalation agents and intravenous medications. Anesthetic drugs used today have a shorter duration of effect than in previous years, allowing prompt recovery and a low incidence of nausea or vomiting. At the end of your operation, you will be awakened and transported to the post-anesthesia care unit.

Regional Anesthesia is utilized when an extremity (arm or leg) or body region can be isolated and anesthetized by injecting a local anesthetic near a regional nerve complex. Examples of regional anesthesia include spinal and epidural anesthesia.

Monitored Anesthesia Care is used for brief superficial operations such as removing skin lesions or changing a pacemaker battery. Local anesthesia is infiltrated into the area of surgery after intravenous sedation is administered. You will be relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Your care and safety will be managed by the anesthetist in the same way as when general and regional anesthesia is used.

Recovering from Anesthesia

Upon arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), your care will transfer to a recovery room nurse. You will spend approximately one hour in the PACU. In the PACU, you will be monitored continually for the oxygen level in your blood, pulse (heart rate), blood pressure and respiration. Under the direction of your anesthetist, your nurse will administer medication to alleviate pain you may have as a result of the surgical procedure. If you vomit or experience postoperative nausea, it will be treated promptly.

When the PACU nurse is satisfied that your condition is stable and pain has been adequately treated, you will be discharged from the PACU to go home if you are an outpatient or to your hospital room if you are to remain in the hospital.  Your surgeon will make arrangements for pain medication, if needed once you are discharged from the hospital.

You or a family member will be contacted the following day to inquire about your recovery and to obtain your comments about the surgical experience. You will also be given the phone number to call if you have any questions about the anesthetic you received.

If you have any questions regarding anesthesia call 235-0333 and leave a message and your phone number.