What is an Anesthesiologist?
An Anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in the area of medical practice that relates to the peri-operative care of the surgical patient. This includes pre-operative (before surgery) assessment, intra-operative (during surgery) management, and post-operative (after surgery) care. In addition, Anesthesiologists are very active in the areas of acute and chronic pain management, critical care, and respiratory therapy.
In order to become an Anesthesiologist, a person must graduate college and then an accredited medical school. After receiving their M.D. or D.O. degree, the physician will apply for a residency in Anesthesiology. This education process will generally take an additional four years to complete. In addition, further training in a subspecialty area of Anesthesiology known as a fellowship can be taken. After an Anesthesiologist has completed training, they undergo rigorous written and oral examinations by the American Board of Anesthesiology in order to become Board Certified in their specialty.
The Anesthesiologists of Purchase Anesthesia, PSC are the doctors who care for you when you receive anesthesia services at Lourdes Hospital.
Anesthesiologists play a critical role before, during, and after surgery. They monitor and treat patients’ acute pain from the time surgery begins, while they are asleep, and until they have recovered and left the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). They diagnose and treat any medical problems that may arise during surgery or recovery and make informed medical decisions to protect and regulate critical life functions that may be affected by surgery.
Purchase Anesthesia, PSC also employs nurse anesthetists who assist with anesthesia care. Your safety and comfort during your surgical procedure are our primary goals and we do everything possible to help facilitate your recovery.
Anesthesia Care Team
The Anesthesia Care Team consists of Anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who work in concert to provide the best medical care possible during surgery as well as safe and effective relief of pain during the patient’s hospital stay.
An Anesthesiologist, a CRNA or both interviews all patients pre-operatively to discuss the appropriate anesthetic management. The final decision with respect to the patient’s anesthesia plan will be based on your general health, the type and duration of the surgery, the Surgeon’s recommendations, the Anesthesiologist’s judgment, and the patient’s wishes. During the surgery, a member of the care team, most often the CRNA, will be with the patient at all times to monitor the patient’s comfort and safety.