Anesthesiology

ECHN’s Anesthesiology services focus on pain relief and the care of patients before, during and after surgery using anesthetics to help keep patients from feeling pain during medical procedures.

Anesthesiology Services
ECHN’s Anesthesiologists are part of the medical and surgical care team, and they are responsible for the administration of anesthetics that will temporarily block pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain.

Prior to surgery, patients meet with their care team and an anesthesiologist to conduct a full health assessment and to make decisions that will ensure the anesthesia-administered care is as safe and effective as possible. 

During surgery, anesthesiologists control a patient’s pain to create ideal conditions for a safe and successful surgical experience by monitoring vital signs, and heart and lung performance while a patient is unconscious. After surgery, pain levels continue to be monitored for a comfortable recovery.

Types of Anesthesia
There are different types of anesthesia available for anesthesiologists to choose from when determining the safest option for each patient.

• Local anesthesia numbs a small section of the body or body part. Common procedures include cataract surgery, a dental procedure, or a skin biopsy.
• Regional anesthesia blocks pain in a larger part of the body such as a limb or the whole chest. Common procedures include an epidural to ease the pain during a cesarean section birth, a spinal tap for hip or knee surgery, or an arm block for hand surgery.
• General anesthesia makes a person unconscious and insensitive to all pain or other stimuli. Common procedures include invasive surgical procedures of the chest or abdomen.
• Sedation anesthesia relaxes a person to fall asleep naturally. Common procedures like a colonoscopy is an example of sedation.
• Ambulatory anesthesia is used for surgical procedures for those who do not need to stay at the hospital overnight. General, regional and local anesthetics fall within the ambulatory category.