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Who provides anesthesia care?
- The Anesthesia Care Team
During your visit you will be taken care of by a team of highly trained physicians, nurses, and technicians who specialize in the practice of anesthesiology.
- The Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are physicians who are trained in the specialty of anesthesiology. They have completed medical school and then received at least four years of additional training. Many anesthesiologists at Piedmont have received even more training (a fellowship) in a specific area of anesthesiology. Your anesthesiologist either personally provides or directly supervises the care you receive during surgery and is responsible for diagnosing and treating any problems. Your anesthesiologist supervises other members of the Anesthesia Care Team who will take care of you, including physician's assistants (PA's) and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).
- The Physician's Assistant Anesthetist
The Physician's Assistant Anesthetist (PAs) are specialized physician's assistants who have expertise in the care of patients who are to undergo anesthesia. These individuals possess a Bachelor's Degree plus two years of additional study and clinical training in anesthesia leading to a Master's Degree . They are certified by a national body. Our PA's are specifically chosen by Georgia Perioperative Consultants for their skills in caring for patients. They are skilled practitioners who function under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
- The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA's) are registered nurses who have undergone two years of additional training and received certification in Nurse Anesthesia. CRNA's at Georgia Perioperative Consultants have been specifically chosen for their expertise in patient care. They are skilled practitioners who function under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
- The Post-Anesthesia Care Nurse
In most cases, you will recover from your anesthesia in special areas called Post Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs), often called the "recovery room." There you will be cared for by nurses and technicians who are specially trained to treat you during this time. An anesthesiologist is available to address any problems and to assure your safe recovery.
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Why is a preoperative visit necessary?
The purpose of the visit is to make sure that you are in optimum condition to undergo surgery and anesthesia. This visit will also familiarize you with some of the events that will take place on the day of your surgery. It should increase your comfort level and reduce your anxiety. Knowing your health status will allow the anesthesiologists to "tailor" the anesthetic to your needs and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe anesthetic course. Also, this visit allows us to order necessary tests so that the results are available before you are ready for surgery. This gives us time to address problems so that your surgery will not be delayed.
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What will happen during your anesthesia experience?
Before surgery
Preoperative Evaluation
Before your surgical procedure, a member of the Anesthesiology Care Team will speak with you about your medical condition and anesthesia issues. Your surgeon and the staff of the Preoperative Testing Area will arrange this for you.
Your preoperative questionnaire (Pink Sheet)
The preoperative pink sheet is designed to help provide information for your preoperative evaluation. If completed prior to your visit, it can significantly shorten the length of your evaluation. Your preoperative instructions
Before the day of your surgery, you will be given instructions to help prepare you for your procedure. These instructions tell you about eating and drinking before surgery and the medications you should take. You will be told where and what time to arrive on the day of surgery and what you should bring with you. You must follow these instructions or your procedure could be canceled. Contact the preoperative testing area at 404-605-3390 or your surgeon if you have any questions
During surgery
You will receive medications through your IV which will make you feel relaxed and sleepy. A variety of different techniques may be used, including spinal, epidural, or nerve blocks. Usually you will receive sedation and pain medications through your IV as well. Click here for more information about the different types of anesthesia.
Monitoring during anesthesia
While you are unconscious, a member of the Anesthesia Care Team will watch over you constantly. Special equipment (monitors) will be used to measure a continuous electrocardiogram (your heart rhythm), blood pressure, the oxygen in your blood, breath sounds, heart sounds, and body temperature. Other monitors may be used depending upon your medical condition, the type of surgical procedure you are having, and the type of anesthesia you are receiving. This will be discussed with you in detail before your procedure begins.
After Surgery
After surgery you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) until most of the effects of anesthesia have worn off. Specially trained nurses will watch you carefully. They will treat any discomfort you might have under the direction of your anesthesiologist. If you are to return home on the day of surgery, you will proceed to the Postoperative Holding Area. There you will do things to get ready to go home, such as awaken more fully, drink fluids, and use the restroom. Some patients may spend the evening in this area, and go home early the next morning.
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What is anesthesia?
Anesthesia is the process of providing for your comfort and ensuring your safety. It is a process that begins before you arrive at the hospital and continues until you recover.
Types of anesthesia
There are different types of anesthesia. The type of anesthesia you will receive depends upon the type of surgical procedure, your medical condition, and your preferences. The anesthesiology staff will discuss these options with you and answer any questions you have.
- General anesthesia
General anesthesia causes the loss of consciousness. It usually begins in the operating room when medications are given through your IV (a small plastic tube placed in your arm to give you medications). It is usually continued during your procedure along with other medications given through your IV, as well as gases you breath.
- Regional anesthesia
When you receive regional anesthesia the part of your body where surgery is to be done is made numb by injecting medicine (like Novocain) around the nerves. The numbness wears off soon after surgery.
- Local with sedation
Local with sedation is similar to regional anesthesia except that only the small area where the procedure is to be done is made numb by injecting special medications (local anesthetics) directly into that location.
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What are the risks associated with anesthesia?
All types of anesthesia have some risk associated with them. Side effects can be minor or severe and can occur during your procedure or after. Some of these are described below. Your anesthesiologist can best describe the risks and benefits associated with the particular type of anesthesia you are to receive. The chance of having a complication is related to your medical condition and the type of procedure you are having. Death is extremely rare, but can occur with any anesthetic technique or surgical procedure. Many safety measures and precautions are taken by anesthesiologists in order to prevent any injury to you. Your safety is our first concern!
General anesthesia - minor side effects can include sore throat, headache, nausea and/or vomiting, sleepiness, muscle aches and fatigue. A very rare, but serious complication is called aspiration pneumonia (stomach contents into your lungs). This is why you must follow the eating and drinking rules! Other rare complications include severe allergic reaction, chipped teeth, blood pressure problems, heart problems, and stroke.
Regional anesthesia - some of the risks of regional anesthesia are similar to those for general anesthesia including drowsiness, headache, severe allergic reaction, blood pressure problems, heart problems, and stroke. You may also have some pain or an infection (very rare) at the place where the anesthetic was placed. If you have a spinal or epidural you may have trouble emptying your bladder for a very short time after your procedure. You might also experience prolonged numbness in some of the areas where you received anesthesia. Permanent nerve damage is extremely rare with these procedures.
Sedation with local - some of the risks of sedation with local anesthesia include drowsiness, severe allergic reaction, blood pressure problems, heart problems, and stroke. You may also have some pain after your procedure at the place where the anesthetic was placed.
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How will I receive pain relief after surgery?
There are several ways to relieve pain after a surgical procedure. The type used for you will depend on the procedure you are having. Your anesthesiologist can discuss these options with you and answer any questions you may have.
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Should I stop smoking if I am going to have surgery?
Patients who smoke tobacco and undergo general anesthesia may have an increased risk for severe coughing, wheezing, and pneumonia which may require special treatment. To significantly decrease the chance of these complications, you should stop smoking at least one month before your surgical procedure. Some benefit may be obtained by quitting even two days before surgery.
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Can I make an advance directive?
Yes. An advance directive or "living will" helps tell the hospital how you would like to be cared for in the unlikely event that you should have any serious medical problems. A member of the Preoperative Testing Area staff can discuss this with you.
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Will I receive a blood transfusion during surgery?
This depends upon the type of procedure you are having and how healthy you are. If you have a low blood count and lose blood during the operation, you may require a blood transfusion. If you have any objections to receiving a blood transfusion, you should discuss this with your anesthesiologist and surgeon.
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Will I receive a separate bill from my anesthesiologist?
You will receive a separate statement from your anesthesiologist just as you will from other physicians who take care of you during your visit. If you have any questions or concerns about any financial matters, you can discuss this with a financial member of the Georgia Perioperative Consutant Office (678-202-2060).
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