Optimizing Your Care

The anesthesiologist is the perioperative physician who provides medical care to patients throughout their surgical experience. This spectrum of care includes the medical evaluation of patients before surgery, consulting with the surgical team and providing pain support and control of life functions during surgery, supervising care after surgery, and medically discharging a patient from a recovery unit. In addition, anesthesiologists provide sedation and anesthesia for patients undergoing medical and dental procedures, as well as care for patients during their obstetrical experience.

A resident enters information into the MorCARE Perioperative Clinical Information SystemThe rationale for visiting the preoperative anesthesia clinic is to insure that your overall medical condition is the best it can be prior to encountering the stresses of anesthesia and surgery. Given the position the anesthesiologist occupies as a perioperative physician, this person is uniquely qualified to assess, from a medical standpoint, your fitness to undergo anesthesia and surgery. In addition, some patients have special questions and concerns that are best addressed by an anesthesiologist. At the time that you undergo a history and physical exam in the surgery clinic, your surgical team will determine whether a visit to the preoperative anesthesia clinic is warranted.