When patients have to undergo surgery or any type of procedure that requires anesthesia, doctors that specialize in this field are needed. Anesthesiologists specialize in this field. They have plenty of education that has prepared them for procedures involving anesthesia. As highly skilled and educated individuals, we trust their judgment. However, all doctors can still make mistakes; it is part of being human. These doctors have to determine the necessary dosage based on someone’s weight, height and other factors. Mistakes in anesthesia administration can be proven as a form of medical malpractice.
What categories of anesthesia are there?
Medical procedures may allow or require different kinds of anesthesia. Since procedures vary in severity and how large the affected area is, they do not all provide the same kind of anesthesia processes. Local anesthesia is a form that numbs the area that is being tended to during surgery. This will allow a patient to remain conscious during the procedure. It is most often used in minor procedures and can be administered via injection to the site of the surgery.
Regional anesthesia can be administered to numb a certain part of the body. This could be for surgery or another purpose. For this kind of anesthesia, there are two forms. This includes spine and epidural. Epidurals are injected into the lower spine and are often used during childbirth to numb the pelvis area. The spinal anesthetic can be injected near the spinal cord to numb the lower body for orthopedic procedures and C-sections.
General anesthesia is another form that is used during medical procedures. This form of anesthesia is used to put a person to sleep during surgery. Before the surgery, an anesthesiologist may administer an IV or give a patient a breathing mask to inhale the anesthesia. This will then cause the patient to lose consciousness for the duration of the surgery.
How can an anesthesiologist make mistakes?
Before anesthesiologists administer anesthesia, they have to consider many factors to decide the proper amount. They must review your medical history to better understand how your body functions. Some people may even be allergic to anesthesia and it cannot be administered. Other people may have a medical history that has shown more risk is involved in anesthesia. During the procedure, the anesthesiologist is responsible for monitoring your reaction. Errors can be due to medical negligence on their part. Some problems can include poor communication, an overdose of anesthesia, waking up mid-surgery is not given enough anesthesia, failure to monitor allergic reactions and failure to monitor other health issues.
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