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A I R W A Y
M A N A G E M E N T
making them ideal for ambulatory
satisfaction: When the door-to-door
anesthesia. Providers may use the
perioperative process seems short to
slower agent isoflurane during longer
them, they'll think they're doing
cases for cost-effectiveness, then
great. Efficient, ambulatory airway
switch to one of the faster agents
management can therefore help you
toward closing.
meet financial and patient satisfac-
This is basic knowledge for anesthe-
tion goals. OSM
sia providers, but it's important to
train your post-op nursing staff to it as
well. How are your patients medicated
once anesthesia providers hand them
Dr. Ritchie (rritc3@email.uk y.edu) is
the medical director of the Center for
Advanced Surgery and an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the University
of Kentucky's Chandler Medical Center
in Lexington.
off in recovery? Are your PACU nurses fully aware of the effects of the
post-op meds they're giving?
Saving and satisfying
As a medical director,
I'm always looking to
improve outcomes, efficiency and productivity.
You probably do the
same, and know that
staffing costs as much as
or more than supplies
and medications. By
bypassing phase 1 recovery, you can save on
nursing costs. Doing so
can also boost patient
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