What Does an Anesthetist Do?

An anesthetist in an operating room administers the anesthetic and is responsible for the ongoing, and overall well being of the patient throughout the operation.For example, after putting a patient to sleep, the anesthetist correctly positions the patient for the operation. Proper positioning provides the best visualization of, and access to, the surgical site while minimizing any physiological challenges to the patient.

An anesthetist must also monitor the patient throughout a surgical procedure. Monitoring tasks require the continual evaluation of the patient’s oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, and temperature throughout the procedure. If any of these falls outside acceptable ranges, an anesthesiologist must notify members of the surgical team immediately so appropriate intervention can be taken.

Basic principles of anesthesia

An anesthetic plan, also known as a perioperative plan, encompasses the following three phases:

• Preoperative – before the surgery
• Intraoperative – during the surgery
• Postoperative – after the surgery

Types of anesthesiologists

Physician Anesthesiologist Highly skilled medical doctors who specialize in anesthesiology and are qualified to make anesthesia-related decisions for the period of time starting when the patient goes into the hospital and concluding when the patient is discharged.

Anesthesiologist Assistant Skilled and certified healthcare professionals who are trained in the delivery and maintenance of anesthesia care and monitoring.

Nurse AnesthetistThe primary duties of nurse anesthetists are to provide anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic and obstetrical procedures.