Health In Focus - Spring 2014 - (Page 10)

The Scoop on Su What you need to know at every stage to sail through your next procedure You will most likely have an intravenous (IV) line inserted for injection of anesthesia and fluid therapy, plus medications for pain and nausea. The CRNA usually visits the patient and family on the day of surgery. It's important to communicate with your anesthesiology team. During your preoperative examination, please feel free to ask your CRNA any questions you have or voice concerns. Inform the anesthesiology team of: * What food and drink you have consumed during the past 12 to 24 hours * Any special dental work (false teeth, bridges, etc.) * Any bad experience during previous surgeries * Any drug allergies During Your surgerY W e know having surgery can be a little scary. Often we don't know exactly what to expect or think of the many questions we have at preadmission testing or even the day of surgery. Below is information to know before, during and after surgery so that you are completely comfortable with your procedure. These services include epidurals and spinals for moms in labor, conscious sedation for MRIs or CTs, emergency airway assistance, and sedation in emergency cases, as well as injections for patients with chronic back pain. During pre-admission testing prior to surgery, anesthesia will be discussed with you. Next, we'll cover its importance at every step of the process. Who Cares for You Before Your surgerY Many people are involved in your care, from physicians to nurses to technicians. One key player in your surgical care is our anesthesia department. HCMC utilizes local certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who work with NorthStar Anesthesia, which has its corporate location in Texas. This partnership has been in place for three years at the hospital, and as of January 2014, NorthStar also provides services at the HCMC Surgery Center. "We currently have 10 CRNAs who provide anesthesia services at HCMC," says Director of Anesthesia Eva Hardin. "We offer a wide range of services from general surgical anesthesia to pain management." 10| SPRING 2014 An anesthesia provider will perform an examination and evaluation to determine the type of anesthesia you will receive. He or she needs to know whether you have experienced any problems with drugs administered during previous procedures. Let your anesthesia providers know whether you have experienced nausea or vomiting after a previous surgery. You may be given medications to reduce the risk of nausea. If you have had food or drink within a few hours of surgery, there is a higher likelihood that you will experience complications. Avoid food and drink for 12 hours before surgery. Emergency surgery is an exception to this rule, and special precautions are taken to minimize the risk. The anesthesia team will be in the operating room constantly during your surgical procedure. If you are having local or regional anesthesia or sedation during your surgery, you will probably not need any breathing device other than an oxygen mask. General anesthesia decreases your ability to breathe on your own, and breathing often must be assisted during your operation or procedure. If you need an endotracheal tube, it will be placed into your windpipe by passing it through the vocal cords using a laryngoscope. The endotracheal tube will be removed as soon as you are able to safely breathe on your own. As an alternative to an endotracheal tube, your anesthesia provider may use a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The LMA is an effective method of assisting your breathing with a decreased likelihood of a sore throat. The LMA is frequently used for shorter surgery cases. Awareness during surgery is highly unlikely. Anesthesia providers take special care to constantly monitor and administer the proper level of anesthetic agents necessary to keep you asleep and pain-free. Your anesthesia providers constantly monitor between seven to 10 different parameters of your vital signs and responses to avoid awareness and keep you safe during the procedure.

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Health In Focus - Spring 2014