What Does an Anesthesiologist Do?
One of the most important people involved in surgery after a traumatic accident is an anesthesiologist. For those who are wondering “what does an anesthesiologist do,” there are several important parts of the surgical procedure that are controlled by the anesthesia team. The job of the anesthesiologist is to make sure that the patient is kept alive during the surgical procedure. This involves monitoring the patient’s vital signs which are:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Oxygen saturation
- Respiratory rate
If the anesthesiologist feels as though the patient is starting to suffer during the procedure, he or she can tell the surgeon to stop the operation. In addition, it is the job of the anesthesia team to make sure that the procedure is as painless as possible. This involves several important jobs, including:
Sedation: The anesthesiologist is the person who will put the patient to sleep, ensuring that they remember very little of the surgical procedure.
Analgesia: He or she will also take the patient’s pain away, called analgesia. This will minimize the patient’s discomfort during the operation.
Paralysis: While this might sound scary, the anesthesiologist is also responsible for keeping the patient paralyzed during the surgery. This is important because it keeps the individual still, making it easier for the surgeon to operate.
In general, it is the job of an anesthesiologist to keep individuals safe and comfortable before, during, and sometimes after a surgical procedure.
Watch YouTube Video ~ What job does an anesthesiologist perform during surgery? Here is a video we found that describes, in general, the typical function of an anesthesiologist.
Ensuring a Patient is Safe for Surgery
The job of an anesthesiologist begins before the individual even arrives in the operating room. First, in the pre-op room, the anesthesiologist will visit the patient and make sure that he or she is safe for surgery. This involves the following:
- Asking the patient about their surgical history, making sure that he or she has not had any issues with anesthesia in the past.
- Performing a physical examination to ensure that there aren’t any physical issues that could interfere with the safety of the operation.
- Performing lab work to ensure that the patient’s blood counts and electrolytes are appropriate for surgery.
If the anesthesiologist notices anything abnormal, he or she may ask for the surgeon to delay the surgery until these problems can be corrected. It is important to note that some surgeries, such as those being performed due to traumatic injuries, might need to be done under emergency conditions. In this case, there might not be time to correct any issues prior to surgery.
What Does an Anesthesiologist Do?
An anesthesiologist will monitor the patient during surgery. He or she will put the patient to sleep. Once the patient is asleep, the anesthesiologist will paralyze the patient. When the patient is paralyzed, he or she will not be able to breathe, so a breathing tube will be placed. Then, the surgery will begin.
During the procedure, the anesthesiologist may administer or adjust medications to make sure that the patient’s vital signs are stable and that the patient is comfortable. In some cases, the anesthesiologist may also send off various bloodwork to make sure that the patient does not need certain electrolytes. In some surgeries, the operation might be bloody and the anesthesiologist might need to administer additional blood.
When the operation is finished, the anesthesiologist will turn off the drugs responsible for sedation and paralysis. The patient will gradually wake up and be able to move again. The anesthesiologist will examine the patient to ensure that he or she is clinically stable. During this time, the anesthesiologist will also move the patient to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Once there, the anesthesiologist will make sure that the patient is comfortable. At that time, the anesthesiologist will typically hand off medical care of the patient to another time, which may or may not be run by another anesthesiologist.
While an anesthesiologist typically does not follow patients once they leave the hospital, there are some anesthesiologists that will help patients manage pain after their surgery. Because anesthesia doctors specialize in the treatment and removal of pain, a trained anesthesiologist can suggest unique options for pain management. These could include novel medications, nerve injections, or even image-guided procedures.
While a loved one is recovering from a traumatic accident, it is also a good idea for families to meet with an injury lawyer in Sacramento. An experienced attorney can make sure that families carefully consider every option during the recovery process.
Personal Injury Lawyers Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Injury Lawyer. An anesthesiologist is a trained medical professional who keeps individuals alive during surgery. If you or someone you care about require surgery after a serious accident, please reach out to me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 to receive free, friendly legal guidance and advice.
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