Patient Information
Anesthesia Company is a practice of over 50 anesthesiologist and 8 nurse anesthetists. An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who has completed a four-year bachelor’s degree, a graduate degree (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy), a four-year anesthesiology residency, and often a one-to-two year fellowship in an anesthesia specialty such as critical care, cardiac, pediatric, obstetric, or regional anesthesia.
Nurse anesthetists have joined our team in a collaborative partnership to offer excellent patient care. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed a nursing degree, practiced a minimum of one year in critical care, and completed an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program.
You will meet your anesthesia professional immediately before the procedure. After reviewing your medical history, they will explain your anesthesia options and work with you to form a plan for your anesthetic care.
Our physicians and CRNAs understand that having surgery can be a stressful experience. Our goal is to alleviate that anxiety with our commitment to patient safety, comfort, and privacy. You can trust that we will take care of you in the same way we could care for a beloved member of our own family.
Types of Anesthesia:
Monitored Anesthesia Care or Conscious Sedation – You will be given a sedative through your IV to make you comfortable during the procedure. You may be awake, but you will be relaxed, comfortable, and able to communicate.
Topical or Local Anesthesia – Medicine is placed either on the skin (topical) or injected with a small needle into the skin to numb a small part of the body. Local anesthesia is often given in conjunction with conscious sedation.
Neuraxial Anesthesia (spinal and epidural blocks) – Medicine is placed either into the spinal fluid (spinal block) or outside the spinal fluid (epidural block) to numb the lower body for procedures. You may or may not be given sedation medicine, depending on the procedure.
Regional Anesthesia (nerve blocks) – A small needle is guided by the anesthesiologist using an ultrasound machine or nerve stimulator to inject medicine near the nerves that will make part of your body numb. Most commonly, regional anesthesia is used for shoulder, arm, and leg surgeries. You will also likely receive sedation or general anesthesia during the procedure.
General Anesthesia – Medicine is given through an IV or mask that will cause you to be unconscious, fully unaware, and free of pain during the procedure.
If you are going home after your procedure (ambulatory or same day surgery), you will need to leave the healthcare facility accompanied by a responsible adult who can stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure. We recommend you resume your diet gradually. Start with clear liquids and then consider a light meal when you are awake and ready to eat.
You may not drink alcohol or operate a vehicle for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia, or for as long as you are taking opioid pain medications. Only take medications approved by your surgeon.
If you would like to request a specific anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, please call our office as soon as your procedure is scheduled to allow us to make every effort to honor that request.