Perform any examinations that would provide information that might assist in decisions regarding anesthetic risk and management.
C. Order tests and medications necessary to the conduct of anesthesia
D. Obtain consultations as necessary
E. Record an assessment and an anesthetic plan on the patient's chart
F. Ensure consent has been obtained
III. Perianesthetic Care Responsibilities
A. Re-evaluation of the patient immediately prior to induction
B. Prepare and check of equipment, drugs, fluids and gas supplies
C. Appropriate monitoring of the patient
D. Selection and administration of anesthetic agents or render the patient insensible to pain, while providing a level of comfort and relaxation commensurate with the invasiveness and physiologic stress of the planned procedure.
E. Support of life functions under the stress of anesthetic, surgical and obstetrical
manipulations.
F. Record the pertinent events of the procedure.
IV. Postanesthetic Care Responsibilities
A. Give to the health care receiver transfer of care information pertinent to the patient's specific needs and ensure a safe transition.
B. Remain with the patient as long asmedicallynecessary and until the receiving health care provider has all the information needed to assume care.
C. Assure the patient is discharged from the postanesthesia care unit in accordance with policies established by the Department of Anesthesiology.
D. The duration of surveillance in the postanesthesia care unit is determined by the status of the patient and the judgment of the anesthesiologist.
V. Critical Care Responsibilities
Provide procedural expertise in airway management, line placement and CV monitoring.
Rendering critical care services on behalf of patients in the ICU treating all patients consistently with established standards of care.
Provide leadership of daily ICU multi-disciplinary rounds and supervision of APPs during clinical shifts.
Actively participating in quality management activities including, but not limited to, the development and implementation of responsive, efficient treatment protocols for commonly treated conditions and evidence-based guidelines for morbidity and mortality reviews.
Actively participate in all medical and audit activities performed within the Hospital.
VI. Anesthesia Care Team (ACT)
A. Anesthesiologists supervising resident physicians in training and/or directing qualified non-physician anesthesia providers in the provision of anesthesia care wherein the physician may delegate monitoring and appropriate tasks while retaining overall responsibility for the patient.
B. Preanesthetic evaluation of the patient - Non-physicians may contribute to the preoperative collection and documentation of patient data, but the anesthesiologist is responsible for the overall evaluation of each patient.
C. Prescribing the anesthetic plan - The anesthesiologist is responsible for prescribing an anesthesia plan aimed at the greatest safety and highest quality for each patient. The anesthesiologist discusses with the patient (when appropriate), the anesthetic risks, benefits and alternatives and obtains informed consent. When a portion of the anesthetic care will be performed by another qualified anesthesia provider, the anesthesiologist should inform the patient that delegation of anesthetic duties is included in care provided by the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT). After discussion and determination of the anesthetic plan, both anesthesia providers should sign the Pre-Anesthesia Evaluation form.
D. Management of the anesthetic - The anesthesiologist may delegate specific tasks to qualified nonanesthesiologist members of the ACT providing that quality of care and patient safety are not compromised, but should participate in critical parts of the anesthetic and remain immediately physically available for management of emergencies regardless of the type of anesthetic.
E. Postanesthesia care- Patients transported to the PACU shall be accompanied by a member of the anesthesia care team who is knowledgeable about the patient's condition. The patient shall be continually evaluated and treated during transport with monitoring and support appropriate to the patient's condition. Upon arrival in the PACU, the patient shall e re-evaluated and a verbal report provided to the responsible PACU nurse by the member of the anesthesia care team who accompanies the patient. The evaluation and treatment of postanesthetic complications are the responsibility of the anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist is responsible for the discharge of the patients from the PACU, either by the criteria or signature.
G. Anesthesia consultation - Like other forms of medical consultation, this is the practice of medicine and should not be delegated to nonphysicians.
VI. Quality Assurance
The anesthesiologist will participate in a planned program for evaluation of quality and appropriateness of the anesthetic care of patients and will participate in resolving identified problems.
VII. Other responsibilities included, but are not limited to:
