Anesthesiology and obstructive sleep apnea: A patient safety challenge

A guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.com. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been diagnosed in more than 18 million American adults, but there are likely millions of others who suffer with OSA, but are undiagnosed. While OSA is frustrating to the patient and the patient’s family, it is crucial to remember OSA is a significant disease that can affect the patient’s safety during and after medical and surgical procedures. The involvement of a physician anesthesiologist is critical to a successful outcome before, during and after a procedure. While the care of these patients may seem as conventional as healthy patients without OSA, it is only because the physician anesthesiologist has addressed the unique risks of this patient group and prepared appropriately. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Family Physicians Tags: Conditions Pulmonology Surgery Source Type: blogs