The Anaesthesiology Department is responsible for the safe administration of anesthesia, pain management, and critical care during surgical procedures and other medical interventions. This department plays a vital role in ensuring patient comfort, safety, and optimal outcomes during and after surgery.
Preoperative Assessment and Consultation
- Pre-Anaesthesia Evaluation: Comprehensive assessment of patients before surgery to determine their medical history, current health status, and any potential risks associated with anesthesia. This includes reviewing medical records, conducting physical exams, and ordering necessary lab tests.
- Risk Stratification: Identification of patients at higher risk for anesthesia-related complications, such as those with heart disease, respiratory issues, or allergies. Special precautions and customized anesthesia plans are developed for these patients.
- Patient Education: Providing information to patients about the anesthesia process, potential risks, and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. This includes discussing fasting requirements, medication adjustments, and postoperative care.
Anaesthesia Administration
- General Anaesthesia: Inducing a state of unconsciousness and lack of sensation throughout the entire body for major surgical procedures. This involves the use of intravenous drugs and inhaled gases, with continuous monitoring of vital signs.
- Regional Anaesthesia: Numbing a specific area of the body, such as with spinal or epidural anesthesia, to allow surgery while the patient remains conscious. This is commonly used for surgeries involving the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs.
- Local Anaesthesia: Numbing a small, specific area of the body for minor procedures, often used in combination with sedation to keep the patient comfortable and relaxed.
- Sedation: Administering medications to relax the patient and reduce anxiety during procedures that do not require full anesthesia. This can range from minimal sedation (patient is awake but relaxed) to deep sedation (patient is on the verge of unconsciousness).
- Anesthesia for High-Risk Patients: Specialized anesthesia care for patients with complex medical conditions, including those undergoing emergency surgery, trauma patients, and those with multiple comorbidities
Intraoperative Monitoring and Management
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs throughout the surgical procedure to ensure stability and promptly address any changes.
- Airway Management: Ensuring that the patient’s airway remains open and secure during surgery, which may involve intubation (placing a breathing tube) or using other airway devices
- Fluid and Blood Management: Managing the patient’s fluid balance and administering blood products if needed during surgery to maintain blood pressure and prevent complications such as bleeding.
- Pain Management: Administering analgesics (pain-relieving medications) during surgery and planning for effective pain control postoperatively.
Postoperative Care and Pain Management
- Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU): Monitoring patients as they recover from anesthesia in the PACU, where they are closely observed for any signs of complications, such as breathing difficulties or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Pain Control: Providing effective pain management strategies after surgery, including the use of medications, nerve blocks, and non-pharmacological methods. The goal is to minimize pain while allowing the patient to recover comfortably.
- Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV): Administering medications and providing care to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of anesthesia.
- Discharge Planning: Assessing when patients are ready to be discharged from the PACU and providing instructions for home care, including pain management, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments.
