Volusia Anesthesiology Associates prides itself in its' ability to administer the best anesthetic care options specific to their needs. The options offered to patients may include General Anesthesia, Regional Anesthesia or Monitored Anesthetic Care. Monitored Anesthetic Care usually supplemented with local anesthesia.
General Anesthesia, as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, consists of a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired and patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway.
Regional Anesthesia refers to the use of local anesthetics to provide anesthesia or post operative pain relief to only a specific portion of the body. Regional Anesthesia is usually combined with some anxiolysis and or sedation during the performance of the block for improved patient comfort. After the patient is brought to the operating room additional sedation is usually provided for the comfort of the patient.
Examples of Regional anesthesia include Spinal Anesthesia, Epidural Anesthesia, Axillary Brachial Plexus Block and Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block. Regional Anesthesia offers the added benefit of having relief of immediate postoperative pain without the need for additional analgesics.
Monitored Anesthesia Care is a specific anesthesia service for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. The care may include varying levels of sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis, as necessary.
What to expect:
For a patient, about to have surgery or a procedure, going under anesthesia can be a very anxiety provoking experience. Sometimes the anxiety about the anesthesia is greater than the surgery itself. A lot of these feelings can be due to not knowing what to expect. The Anesthesiology Care Team and Surgery Center Staffs know that undergoing a surgical procedure can be a stressful and are there to help make your experience as pleasant and relaxing as possible. Here is what one can typically expect when coming to a surgery center or hospital for a procedure.
After first checking in, the patient will come to the holding area where they will interact with the Anesthesia Care Team for the first time. One of our Anesthesiologists will give the patient an opportunity to ask any questions prior to going over the patient's physical history any pertinent health issues. The Anesthesiologist may perform a focused physical examination at this time. the Anesthesiologist will reviewed all the patient's available test results at this time. Utilizing all this information the Anesthesiologist along with the patients desires will determine the best anesthetic plan for the patient and the procedure. The Anesthesiologist will go over, in detail, all pertinent information about the anesthetic plan while making sure all of the patient's questions are answered. At this time, a mild sedative may be given prior to going back to the Operating Room (OR).
If the patient's anesthetic plan involves certain types of regional anesthesia, a block may be placed at this time in the Holding Area. Sedatives are given prior to the administration of the block to make it as pleasant as possible for the patient.
When it is time for the patient's surgery, the patient will be transported to the OR and placed on the OR table. Routine monitors will be placed and the anesthetic plan that was discussed will be implemented.
After the surgery is over, the patient will be transported to the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU) where they will be monitored until they wake up and treated for any discomfort or pain they might be experiencing. When the patient is ready they will begin the discharge process or to be transported to their room.
