Hospital Anesthesia: Everything A Patient Should Know

It looks like you are about to go through a procedure or a surgery, and the whole scenario is making you nervous. First, you should know being nervous ahead of surgery is completely normal, but it is something that you should control as it can have some negative impact.

Let's just not get ahead of all that and address your thoughts. You probably have many questions about everything, hospital anesthesia in particular. What happens completely depends on the type of procedure you'll be going through and the kind of anesthesia they'll be using, either:

●      General: The kind where the person is asleep

●      Regional: The kind where one large area of the body is numbed

●      Local: The kind where a small part of the body is numbed

While doctors and surgeons will let you know what they'll be doing, it's better to be well aware. Here's a quick sneak peek at what may happen before, during, and after the procedure/surgery. 

●      Before the Surgery

The anesthesiologist might order tests to figure out the best anesthetic plan for you ahead of the surgery. Besides physical examination for heart, lungs, and airways, the children's hospital anesthesiologists will look into your medical history like your family health, your current, and past health, or any medications you are taking at the moment.

Both the anesthesiologist and surgeon will give you instructions about not eating or drinking before the procedure, so make sure to stick to that.

●      During the Surgery

If you are given general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will start transitioning you from the natural awake state to the sleepy state of anesthesia. This process is called induction, either by injecting through an IV or by inhaling gases through a mask.

The anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs during the surgery, continue to deliver anesthesia, and keep you as comfortable as possible.

●      After the Surgery

Once the procedure is over, you'll be taken to Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where nurses and anesthesiologists will monitor your vital signs. You'll be under observation until you make a smooth and comfortable transition from an anesthetized state to an awakened state. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you believe it or not, hospital anesthesia is extremely safe. There's no need for you to worry as experienced staff members and surgeons surround you.