should have complete reassurance that they're the right match for you
— that they know how to manage those cases and provide the ideal
anesthetic for your patients.
5. Are they proficient in regional anesthesia?
This has become a real differentiator, and something that's enabled
more complex cases covering a broad range of surgical specialties to
be performed on an outpatient basis. An anesthesia group that's at the
forefront of employing regional anesthesia can be invaluable in that
regard. Do they have the ability to administer ultrasound-guided nerve
blocks and catheters? What do they bring to the table when it comes
to enabling outpatient total joint replacements?
6. Do they use multimodal regimens?
Multimodal premeds as part of an ERAS (enhanced recovery after sur-
gery) protocol should be used for most cases. Along with regional anes-
thesia and nerve blocks, opioid-sparing techniques play a tremendously
important role, espe-
cially for outpatient
spine, and total hip
and knee replace-
ments. Being able to
control pain and pre-
vent nausea lets
patients get up and
moving, and maybe
even start physical
therapy on the day of
surgery.
M a y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 5 5
• SITE SEEING Your anesthesia group
should be perfectly happy to meet with you
in person to address concerns.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
