Anesthesiology clinics
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Ambulatory anesthesia's popularity continues to increase and techniques continue to adapt to the needs of patients. Alterations in existing medications are promising. ⋯ The implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act specifically affects ambulatory settings as the demand and need for patients to undergo screening procedures with anesthesia. The question remains what the best strategy is to meet the needs of our future patients while preserving economic feasibility within an already strained health care system.
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This article reviews the management of an operating room (OR) schedule and use of the schedule to add value to an organization. We review the methodology of an OR block schedule, daily OR schedule management, and post anesthesia care unit patient flow. We discuss the importance of a well-managed OR schedule to ensure smooth patient care, not only in the OR, but throughout the entire hospital.
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Effective and efficient acute pain management strategies have the potential to improve medical outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce costs. Pain management records are having an increasing influence on patient choice of health care providers and will affect future financial reimbursement. ⋯ In addition, nonpharmacologic and alternative therapies, as well as information technology, should be viewed as complimentary to traditional pharmacologic treatments commonly used in the management of acute pain. The use of innovative technologies to improve acute pain management may be worthwhile for health care institutions.
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Health care costs continue to increase, and the approach of countries and insurers is to focus on the value of the care delivered. Value is a function of quality in relation to costs. ⋯ The patients' perspectives include out-of-pocket expenses and work lost for both patients and potentially caregivers. The authors provide one example in the area of sleep apnea in which the anesthesiologist can provide value uniquely by being part of the team making the diagnosis.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Sep 2015
Review Historical ArticleThe History of Geriatric Anesthesia in the United States and the Society for the Advancement of Geriatric Anesthesia.
Creation of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Geriatric Anesthesia provided an opportunity for individuals to interact, strategize, and work with medical organizations outside of anesthesiology. These opportunities expanded with creation of the Society for the Advancement of Geriatric Anesthesia. ⋯ From this have come educational grants to improve residency training and establishment of a major research grant program now managed by the National Institutes of Health. Nevertheless, for improved care of the older patient, the level of involvement has to increase.