Anesthesia Information

start here for basic anesthesia information	THE OPERATING ROOM The operating room (OR) can often be a very frightening place for patients. Understanding more about the OR can make you feel more comfortable before your operation or procedure. The OR is organized by a team of highly trained professionals. These professionals consist of an anesthesiologist, surgeon, scrub nurse, circulating nurse and surgeon assistant. These individuals are there for you and to ensure your operation goes as smoothly as possible. The OR is sterile environment, which is why patients and staff have to wear specialized gear such as scrubs, facemask, surgical gowns and surgical drapes. OPERATING ROOM EQUIPMENT All operating rooms have specialized equipment. The first thing you will notice is the specialized lighting system that projects very bright light onto the surgical bed. The surgical bed allows the patient to be in many different positions which is important for the surgeon to gain access and also for him/her to see the operation site. The anesthesia machine is located at the head of the bed. This allows the anesthesiologist gain access to the patient’s airway. This highly maintained machine is used to assist in the delivery of anesthesia and now most machines have many monitoring devices attached as well. This equipment is used to administer anesthesia and monitoring/maintaining life functions during surgery in the newborns, young adult, older population and other high risk patients today.
how an OR works and who you may meet
questions you may have concerning anesthesia
definitions of commonly used anesthesia terms
commonly used anesthesia medications
recent news items concerning anesthesia
links to other helpful health-related sites

THE OPERATING ROOM

The operating room (OR) can often be a very frightening place for patients. Understanding more about the OR can make you feel more comfortable before your operation or procedure. The OR is organized by a team of highly trained professionals. These professionals consist of an anesthesiologist, surgeon, scrub nurse, circulating nurse and surgeon assistant. These individuals are there for you and to ensure your operation goes as smoothly as possible. The OR is sterile environment, which is why patients and staff have to wear specialized gear such as scrubs, facemask, surgical gowns and surgical drapes.

OPERATING ROOM EQUIPMENT

All operating rooms have specialized equipment. The first thing you will notice is the specialized lighting system that projects very bright light onto the surgical bed. The surgical bed allows the patient to be in many different positions which is important for the surgeon to gain access and also for him/her to see the operation site. The anesthesia machine is located at the head of the bed. This allows the anesthesiologist gain access to the patient’s airway. This highly maintained machine is used to assist in the delivery of anesthesia and now most machines have many monitoring devices attached as well. This equipment is used to administer anesthesia and monitoring/maintaining life functions during surgery in the newborns, young adult, older population and other high risk patients today.