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Anesthesia Care: What to Expect
The usual sequence of
events that patients experience with their anethesiology
care is described below. Much personalized contact also occurs
during anesthesia care, so the information below
is provided as a general outline only.
The inital part of the anesthesia evaluation
occurs in the surgeon's office, when
the surgeon takes a general medical history and
performs a general physical exam. This information
provides the initial description of the medical
problems, and may indicate that further laboratory
tests or medical consultation is necessary before
proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.
Prior
to surgery, every patient has an opportunity
to discuss the planned anesthetic with the
individuals providing it. This conversation may
occur by telephone, in the hospital room or in
a prep area adjacent to the operating rooms.
In many cases, the nature of the surgery or
other medical problems dictates the type of anesthesia;
but in others, consisderable latitude exists
for choosing among anesthetic options. Whenever
possible, patient preferences are accommodated.
Many patients arrive the morning of surgery.
Specific instructions regarding arrival time
and medications is provided by phone the
day prior to surgery. You may also wish to review the general preoperative instructions for patients recieving anesthesia at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Maps, driving
instructions and other visitor
information are available:
Because the
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center are a teaching
hospitals, residents participate in all aspects
of anesthesia care, supervised by board-certified
attendings. The supervision ratio is 1 faculty
member for every 2 residents, or less. Some
anesthesia care is provided in conjunction with
fully trained nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), who
are supervised at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3. When
supervising residents or CRNAs, attending anesthesiologists
are in close proximity to the operating rooms
and are immediately available.
Following surgery, patients may receive care
from anesthesia physicians if they are recovering
in one of the Intensive Care Units or if the
Pain Management Service is consulted to assist
in their care. In these situations as well, physicians
in training play an integral role in providing
care and attending supervision is provided.
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