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Reading
Anesthesia Associates, Ltd. |
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301
S. 7th Ave., Suite 235
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West
Reading, PA 19611
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(484) 628-8589
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Billing:
(484) 628-5134
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| This page contains answers to some of the most common questions we receive from patients. You are always encouraged to ask any other questions you may have at the time of your pre-anesthesia interview or telephone call or on the day of surgery. You may also reach us for medical questions through the Anesthesia Department at Reading Hospital (484-628-8269) or by calling the Surgery Center where your procedure is scheduled. |
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| What
are the risks of anesthesia? Although modern anesthesia is extremely safe, there remains a very small risk of complications. While various studies have found somewhat differing statistics, a widely quoted number is less than 1 in 100,000 risk of serious complications in otherwise healthy patients. Certain health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, can increase this risk. Because each patient and operation is different, and the entire list of possible complications is long, it is best to discuss your situation with your anesthesiologist. Top |
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I choose my anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist? We are confident that you will receive excellent anesthesia care from any of our anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists. If we are unable to accommodate your request, we hope you will understand. Top |
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someone be with me the whole time I am under anesthesia? You will never be left alone in the operating room. One of our anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists will be with you the entire time until you can safely be transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU or recovery room). Top |
| What
if I wake up during anesthesia? The likelihood of "awareness under anesthesia" is very low. Anesthetic medications are given continuously during the operation based on your responses to our monitors and observations. We will almost always know when you need more anesthesia long before you could become aware. If you have particular concerns about awareness, or feel you have experienced awareness during a prior operation, please discuss this with your anesthesiologist. Top |
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I be sick after my anesthesia? The chance of nausea or vomiting after anesthesia has been greatly reduced because of improved anesthetic medications and the availability of several very effective anti-nausea medications which have fewer side effects. For certain operations where nausea is more likely, such as eye muscle surgery, ENT surgery and intra-abdominal surgery, we may administer anti-nausea medication through the IV before you awaken from anesthesia. If you notice nausea after your operation, please inform the nurse as early as possible. We can usually control this nausea with IV medication. Certain patients are very sensitive to anesthetic or pain medications and will continue to have nausea despite our best efforts. Fortunately, this has become an unusual occurrence. If you have special concerns about nausea, please discuss this with your anesthesiologist. Top |
| What
can I eat or drink before my operation? One of the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of complications during anesthesia is to follow your instructions regarding eating and drinking. These instructions are designed to minimize the chance of stomach acid or food particles getting into your lungs where they can cause a chemical pneumonia. Chemical pneumonia can be serious or even fatal. In general, current research suggests that clear liquids leave the stomach more rapidly than milk products or solid food. For healthy patients, we usually ask that no solid food or milk products be used after midnight the night before your operation. It is normally safe for children and adults to have clear liquids until 2 hours before the operation. Clear liquids are those without milk and without pulp. Examples are apple or cranberry juice, water, black coffee, clear tea and iced tea. Patients who may have delayed stomach emptying, such as patients with diabetes or GERD (acid reflux), may be instructed not to eat or drink after midnight before the operation. You will receive specific instructions at the time of your pre-anesthesia interview or telephone call. Please discuss any special concerns at that time. Top |
| What
medicines should I take before anesthesia? In general, it is good to continue inhalers and most eye drops, and to continue most blood pressure, heart and breathing pills as well as cholesterol lowering pills. Usually, diabetic patients should not take either blood sugar lowering pills or insulin on the day of surgery. However, since each patient's medications are different and surgical times vary throughout the day, it is important to discuss this during your pre-anesthesia interview or telephone call. You will be provided with complete instructions at that time. If you have any questions, please call the Anesthesia Department at Reading Hospital (484-628-8269) or your Surgery Center for clarification. Top |
| What
should I do if I might be pregnant? Surgery on any patient who is or might be pregnant requires careful consideration by your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and obstetrician. The safest option for a pregnant patient is to postpone elective surgery until after delivery. If you are or may be pregnant at the time of your scheduled procedure, be certain to discuss this with your surgeon and anesthesiologist as early as possible before your surgery. Top |
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it alright to eat and drink before my pre-anesthesia interview? In general, any testing that will need to be done at the time of your pre-anesthesia interview does not require fasting after midnight. Your surgeon's office will inform you of any special testing that does require fasting. Top |
| What
is a nurse anesthetist? Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have graduated from an accredited anesthesia school and passed a national certifying exam. Most have also had at least a year of critical care nursing experience and many have master's degrees in nursing. As with physician anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists must fulfill annual continuing education requirements. Top |
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Copyright 2002 - 2015 Reading Anesthesia Associates, Ltd. All Rights Reserved
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