FOR RELEASE: Immediately January 23, 2006

CONTACT:

Gina A. Steiner Donna E. Habich (847) 825-5586

 

Could You Be Having Surgery in 2006?

Be Ready to Communicate About Your Anesthesia

CHICAGO — In a typical year, more than 40 million surgical procedures are performed in U.S. hospitals. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) wants to remind patients who are facing surgery and other invasive procedures to communicate with their anesthesiologist about their anesthesia.

“There are many ways in which a well-designed anesthesia plan contributes to the best possible satisfaction and outcome for the patient,” said ASA President Orin F. Guidry, M.D. “There are questions you should ask and, just as important, there is information you should share with your anesthesiologist to help him or her design the best anesthesia plan for you.”

Anesthesiologists stress the importance of giving a complete medical history, as many things about a patient can affect the way his or her body reacts to anesthetic drugs.

ASA offers the following “Anesthesia & Me”© checklist to help you organize the information you should know about yourself and your loved ones in case surgery is needed. Fill out the following health survey, date it and place it in your wallet. It just might save your life.

“Anesthesia & Me”© Checklist

A □ Allergies (reactions to food (such as eggs or shellfish), medicines, latex, etc.)? __________________________________________

N □ Neurological conditions (such as epilepsy, stroke)?

E □ Esophageal conditions (reflux, chronic heartburn)?

S □ Stomach problems (ulcers or eating disorders)?

T □ Teeth (any loose teeth, dentures, bridgework)?

H □ Heart disease (heart attack, angina or chest pain, high blood pressure, or family history of any of these)? ________________________

E □ Emphysema, asthma, apnea or other lung or breathing problem?

S □ Surgeries in the past and any problems with anesthesia? (Including any history of a family member having problems with anesthesia)

I □ Immune system (deficiencies, hepatitis, immunizations) or inadequate clotting (excessive bleeding)?

A □ Arthritis or other conditions that restrict movement?

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M □ Medications (prescription and over-the-counter drugs? Herbals or supplements?)

E □ Endocrine system disorders (like diabetes, thyroid conditions)?

Your anesthesiologist will also want to know when you have last eaten or had something to drink, whether you are pregnant, and a number of other things. This checklist will not replace a health history interview or the personal interaction between your doctor and you. It will provide a way to document vital information and keep it handy. In this way, whether your surgery is planned or unexpected, your physicians will have important information that will enable them to provide optimal care for you.

Anesthesiologists provide or participate in more than 90 percent of the anesthetics administered in the U.S. In the operating room, they are responsible for the medical management and anesthetic care of the patient throughout the duration of the surgery. They also medically evaluate the patient before surgery, supervise care afterward, and medically discharge the patient from the recovery unit.

These physicians have the education, skills and training necessary to carefully match the anesthetic needs of each patient to that patient's medical condition, responses to anesthesia and the requirements of the surgery.

The role of the anesthesiologist in the operating room is to: 1) provide continual medical assessment of the patient; 2) monitor and control the patient's vital life functions -- heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature and body fluid balance; and 3) control the patient's pain and level of unconsciousness to make conditions ideal for a safe and successful surgery. He or she may also be supervising one or more anesthesia residents (physicians in training). Anesthesiologists may also be medically directing anesthesiologist assistants or nurse anesthetists, who are trained in many of the technical aspects of anesthesia delivery, but not the medical aspects of anesthesia care.

For more information, and for questions to ask about your anesthesia, see the ASA publication “Anesthesia and You” at http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation/anesandyou.htm

The American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association of more than 40,000 physicians organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.

Since its founding in 1905, the Society’s achievements have made it an important voice in American Medicine and the foremost advocate for all patients who require anesthesia or relief from pain.