Summary

In this study session, you have learnt

• Anesthesia is defined as the absence or abolition of sensation, especially that of pain induced by drugs especially as a means of facilitation to surgical procedures.
• An anesthesia professional is a qualified health care professional who administers anesthetics to produce total or partial loss of sensation in patients during surgical or diagnostic procedures.
• The three components of anesthesia are analgesia, hypnosis (amnesia) and muscle relaxation.
• Features of a good anesthetic include abolition of pain, completely reversible, safe, provide good operating conditions and acceptable by the patient.
• Types of anesthesia include general anesthesia which depress the central nervous system and regional anesthesia intended to make part of the body insensible for surgical operation or manipulation.
• Anesthesia is a recent development dating back only 160 years. Before the discovery of inhalational agents pain was considered or believed to be an inevitable outcome of surgery. Today, major surgery without adequate anesthesia would be unthinkable, and probably constitute grounds for malpractice litigation.
• The practice of anesthesia has become safer in recent years due to improvements in pharmacological agents and the introduction of sophisticated technology for safe anesthesia delivery and patient monitoring perioperatively.
• Anesthetists are responsible for the care and maintaining of life of the patient during anesthesia.
• Anesthesia care represents those services which anesthesia professionals provide by assignment or upon request of other healthcare provider authorized by law.
• The scope of practice of the anesthetist addresses the responsibilities associated with anesthesia practice that are performed in collaboration with other qualified healthcare providers which includes pre anesthetic assessment, when indicated involvement of other specialty team or consult senior anesthesia professional, gain informed consent, plan and implement anesthesia, monitor patient under anesthesia, recording of events, prevention of hazards and risks, and other health care service as requested.