Anecdotes in Anesthesia: drugs

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Ask the patient about dentures, special drugs and medications, and valuables he may be carrying.
Check that the consent form is signed and witnessed. Make sure there is a separate consent form per operation when the patient visits regularly.
Do not impose your choice of anaesthesia. If there is disagreement discuss and convince the surgeon or the patient. Do not use spinal for investigative procedures and procedures that likely to be repeated very often.
Do not insist on the procedures you are taught in teaching hospital. For example, spinal, general or cannulating a vein in an infant for EUA or IV infusion when not necessary.
Carry your own tourniquet do not expect any help.

Keep calm – very easily said but difficult to practice. There are so many difficulties at each step. Do not bring your worries into the operation theatre.
Keep to your time schedule; it may not always work. Delays by the surgeon, nursing staff, unforeseen emergencies will always delay your schedule. If late or delayed say sorry and start. Do not argue even if you are not in the wrong.
Know your operation schedule the previous night before. In case of doubt, communicate; do not take things for granted. Hernia told to you may mean bilateral hernia, incisional hernia, umbilical hernia or obstructed hernia. Keep the time schedule accordingly. Inform the next surgeon about your delay. Leave the choice to him to arrange another anesthesiologist.
Check your equipment and drugs and replace them immediately.
Always check the notes or find out the information you need from the patient or the surgeon. Check the name and side of operation from the notes and confirm them by asking the patient. Check whether the patient is accompanied by a relative or responsible person.

Anecdotes in Anesthesia