January 1, 2008

Georgia Anesthesiologists, P.C. joined forces with Paulding Anesthesia Associates to provide broader coverage within the WellStar Health System. Together, the groups provide anesthesia coverage to both WellStar Kennestone Hospital and Paulding Hospital. Paulding Anesthesia Associates added four new doctors to Georgia Anesthesiologists, P.C., including David Burns, M.D., Fitz Harper, M.D. Ashkan Yazdanpanah, D.O., and Denis Trto, M.D. 

ASA Encourages Patients to Ask for An Anesthesiologist
Qualifications of Anesthesia Providers Key for Patient Safety and Infection Control 

CHICAGO – Following the notification of 40,000 Nevada endoscopy center patients of possible exposure to hepatitis C due to the reuse of syringes and vials for anesthesia administration, the 42,000 members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) want to stress that contrary to many reports in the media, the “providers” administering the anesthesia with improper infection control techniques were NOT anesthesiologists (physicians with specialty training in the medical specialty of anesthesiology).  Anesthesiologists were not involved in the care of these patients. 

The training and education anesthesiologists receive is what sets them apart from other medical “providers” who deliver anesthesia care.  Typically, an anesthesiologist has completed four years of college, four years of medical school, and has completed a minimum of four additional years of training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in the medical specialty of anesthesiology.    

Anesthesiologists are responsible for the safe delivery of over 90% of all anesthesia care provided in the U.S.  They can and do, in some settings, supervise and direct non-physicians such as nurse anesthetists and anesthesiology assistants.  As physicians, they have the most advanced education and training of any anesthesia professionals and have been recognized by the Institute of Medicine as America’s physician leaders in patient safety. 

ASA encourages patients to ask the following questions before undergoing any procedures requiring anesthesia:

Patients should know they have the right to ask who will be providing their care and be assured that the care they receive is the safest.  ASA was the first medical organization to create a foundation to focus entirely on patient safety – the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation founded in 1985. 

In 1992, the ASA published a report for its members entitled Recommendations for Infection Control for the Practice of Anesthesiology (http://www.asahq.org/publicationsAndServices/infectioncontrol.pdf), which clearly states:

“While outbreaks and notifications of this size are extremely rare, it brings to light the need for physicians and patients to be aware of the safety standards in place at all facilities,” said Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D., ASA President. “Before undergoing any procedure involving sedation or general anesthesia, patients need to be aware of what type of anesthesia they will be receiving and most important--- who will administer their anesthesia.”

Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with 43,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.