Main objectives of anaesthesia during surgery are to:
- Relieve pain
- Support physiological functions
- Provide favourable conditions for the operation
General Considerations
Types of AnaesthesiaAnaesthesia may be produced in a number of ways
General anaesthesia
- Basic elements: Loss of consciousness, analgesia, prevention of undesirable reflexes, and muscle relaxation
Regional or local anaesthesia
- Sensation of pain is blocked without loss of consciousness. The conduction of stimulus from a painful site to the brain can be interrupted at one of the many points:
- Surface anaesthesia
- Infiltration anaesthesia
- Intravenous regional anaesthesia
- Nerve block/plexus block\
- Epidural anaesthesia
- Spinal anaesthesia
| ISSUE |
RECOMMENDATIONS |
| Equipment |
- Available and in a state of readiness at
all times
- Appropriate in quality and quantity
- Compatible with safety
|
| Staff |
- Qualified anaesthesia provider
- An assistant for the anaesthesia provider
- Adequate assistance in positioning the
patient
- Adequate technical assistance to ensure
proper functioning and servicing of all
equipment
|
Before
anaesthesia |
- Read the notes/medical records of the
patient
- Assess the patient very carefully
- The drugs, equipment, instruments and
materials to be used must be known
- Properly prepare workplace and patient
|
During
anaesthersia |
- Anaesthesia is administered (induction
and maintenance)
- The patient must be monitored
meticulously to:
- Ensure his/her well-being
- Detect dangerous signs as soon as they
arise and appropriately treat them
- Expertise in resuscitation is obligatory.
If in trouble, ask for help
- Keep an accurate and legible record of
the anaesthetic and all measured vital
signs on the anaesthetic chart/form
|
After
anaesthesia |
- The patient:
- Recovers from effects of anaesthesia
- Has stable vital signs
- Is returned to the ward in the fully
conscious state
- Follow-up patient for next 24 hours
|