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leader. After reviewing the pre-anesthesia information, the leader can
order additional tests, consult with and get clearance from other medical team members, and formulate any additional orders to be completed upon the patient's admission.
Patients should be able to direct-dial the anesthesia team leader
with both clinical and billing questions. Sure, you can have an 800number and a nameless, faceless billing person on the other end, but
patients really appreciate speaking with someone personally involved
with their care. A note to you anesthesia providers: Don't forget to
close the call by telling the patient you will look forward to seeing
them on the day of their surgery.
Once the patient has arrived at the facility, the anesthesia team
should be able to provide a consistent staffing model to ensure ontime starts. The anesthesia team can improve turnover times by using
techniques that produce timely emergence from anesthesia, making
sure the next patient is ready (including placing a block for the surgical procedure and/or post-op pain management) and even pushing
stretchers if necessary.
The anesthesia team should have an agreed-upon protocol applicable for all patients based on standardized post-operative nausea and
vomiting (PONV) risk assessments. They should have a PONV prophylaxis protocol and use PONV-sparing techniques by using more regional anesthesia and emetogenic-avoidance techniques like propofol/ketamine infusions.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2013
