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October 2000
Volume 64 |
Number 10
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| State
Legislators Anesthetize 'Adam' and He Lives! |
S.Diane Turpin, J.D.,
Assistant Director of Government Affaris (State)
State legislators and their staffs had a unique experience during
the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Meeting
in Chicago, Illinois, on July 17-19, 2000: they were able to anesthetize
a patient. This year, ASA's exhibit booth included "Adam"
a patient simulator provided by Medical Education Technologies,
Inc. (METI). Under the direct supervision of Adam Levine, M.D.,
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of
Residency Training and Director of Human Simulation in Anesthesiology
at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine, legislators had
the opportunity to experience firsthand the complexity of administering
an anesthetic. The participants were successful in administering
anesthetics to Adam and reviving him thanks to the medical intervention
supplied by Dr. Levine.
The exhibit was a huge success. Special thanks are due to METI,
Dr. Levine, members of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists
(ISA), and Amy Young, ISA staff responsible for coordinating all
the volunteers. ISA members who generously volunteered their time
to participate in the exhibit booth were: Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum,
M.D.; Kornel D. Balon, M.D.; Wendy B. Binstock, M.D.; Julian S.
Chestnut, D.O.; Thomas W. Cutter, M.D.; Suanne M. Daves, M.D.;
Robert A. Doty, Jr., M.D.; Sandra S. Drewes, M.D.; Jonathan Hausman,
M.D.; Jerome M. Klafta, M.D.; Susan L. Polk, M.D.; Gita Rupani,
M.D.; John E. Szewczyk, M.D.; Kenneth J. Tuman, M.D.; and Eric
Werner, M.D.
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In the course of "successfully" intubating
a patient (simulator) with the help of Dr. Levine,
Arkansas State Representative Jimmy L. Jeffress, right,
learned how challenging and rewarding anesthesiology
can be.
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In addition to anesthetizing Adam, legislators talked with anesthesiologist
volunteers and ASA staff about a range of health care issues of
interest to their constituents. Anesthesiologists explained their
depth of medical education and training and gave legislators some
insight into the challenges they face in their practice every
day. They also calmed the fears of several people who were anticipating
surgery.
While visitors to the ASA booth gained a wealth of information
about anesthesiologists and their practice, we learned a lot from
the visitors.
For example, some people were shocked to discover that they cannot
breathe on their own when they receive a general anesthetic. Others
were surprised by the numerous monitoring devices attached to
the patient during an anesthetic. Some did not know they could
select their anesthesia provider at many facilities. Most people
wanted a physician involved in the administration of their anesthesia.
Adam fascinated the exhibit attendees, who had approximately
300 exhibit booths to choose from, many of them health care-related.
In spite of all the free gifts being offered by exhibitors and
the variety of exhibits to visit, legislators were busy with Adam
until the exhibit hall closed and the carpet was literally being
pulled up from under their feet.
In addition to the exhibit booth, ASA participated in hosting
a reception for all state legislators. Several physician groups,
including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American
Psychiatric Association, the American College of Radiology, the
College of American Pathologists, the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons and the American Medical Association, joined ASA in hosting
the reception. Physicians from the Chicago area attended and had
an opportunity to talk with state legislators from around the
country about issues affecting their respective specialties. Once
again, ISA members turned out to make the reception a success.
Next year, NCSL's annual meeting will be held in San Antonio,
Texas, on August 12-16. ASA will participate, with the able assistance
of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and continue to spread
the word about the medical specialty of anesthesiology.
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S.
Diane Turpin, J.D., Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs
(State) rejoined the ASA Washington Office in September 1999
after completing a degree in law from St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri. She previously was a member of the Washington
Office from 1990 to 1993. |
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