What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the art and science of reducing or eliminating pain. Each year, more than 26 million people in the United States undergo some form of medical treatment requiring anesthesia. We typically think of anesthesia in terms of what is done in the operating room to permit a surgical procedure to go forward without pain, but anesthesia is also used to treat chronic and acute pain conditions.

Are there different types of anesthesia?

Yes, there are at least three types of anesthesia: general, regional, and conscious sedation.

With general anesthesia, medications are injected into the bloodstream or inhaled into the lungs. These medications produce unconsciousness and allow a surgical procedure to proceed in a pain-free manner.

With regional anesthesia, local anesthetic medications like lidocaine are injected into an area to render a part of the body insensitive to pain. Examples of regional anesthesia include spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, brachial plexus block anesthesia, Bier Block and many others. Frequently sedative medications are administered during regional anesthesia to produce relaxation and a pleasant and comfortable experience for the patient.

With conscious sedation, medications are administered into the bloodstream that produce relaxation and comfort. This type of anesthesia is usually considered when the surgical procedure is minimally painful. Patients usually have no memories of their procedure, but are able to talk and cooperate with the surgical staff during the operation.

Who administers anesthesia?

In the United States, there are two major healthcare workers who are involved in administering anesthesia: physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists (CRNA). There are many different practice arrangements at different institutions: anesthesiologists working alone, nurse anesthetists working alone, and anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists working together. Both anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are highly educated to provide the highest standards of patient safety and care.

What is a CRNA?

The official title for a nurse anesthetist is CRNA, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. CRNAs are nursing specialists. In order to become a nurse anesthetist today, one must first obtain a degree in nursing and earn a baccalaureate degree either in nursing or one of the sciences. At least one year of clinical experience in a critical care unit is required before applying to nurse anesthesia school. Anesthesia school itself takes between 24 and 36 months and graduates earn a Master's Degree. Due to the high demand for nurse anesthetists and the limited number of student positions, application to anesthesia school is very competitive. Typically nurse anesthesia programs receive many more applications than they have positions available. Therefore only the best and brightest applicants are accepted into nurse anesthesia school. Following successful completion of the nurse anesthesia program, the new graduate has one more hurdle to jump before becoming a CRNA. They must successfully pass a National Certifying Examination. As you can see, nurse anesthetists are very well educated, trained, and qualified anesthesia professionals.

Is anesthesia safe?

Anesthesia is safer today than at any time in history. It has been estimated that a patient is more likely to have an automobile accident on the way to the hospital than to have a problem with their anesthesia! Anesthesia is safer today for a number of reasons: better education and training for all anesthesia providers, better medications, and better monitoring during your anesthesia. The creation of safety standards by the national associations of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists has contributed to this safety record. So today, whether you have an anesthetic in a big city or small town, in Washington State or Washington, DC, by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, the safety standards are the same.

Is there anything I can do to help?

Yes there are a number of things you can do. Follow your preoperative instructions carefully. Most patients are asked to refrain from eating and drinking after midnight on the night before their surgery. Get plenty of rest before your surgery. Bring your home medications to the hospital or clinic with you. You will be advised on whether to take any of these medications. Plan to have a loved one or family member remain at the hospital or clinic throughout your surgery and recovery. If you are having outpatient surgery, you will need someone to drive you home. Allow for plenty of time to recover from surgery and anesthesia.

Where can I get more specific information about anesthesia?

There is an excellent site at AllExperts.com where you can ask an anesthesia professional a question. Here is the link. http://www.allexperts.com/getExpert.asp?Category=962