US Newswire
1/20/2005 11:46:00 AM

Implant Patient Worries Over Office Anesthesia Relieved by Educational Brochure From AANA

PARK RIDGE, Ill., Jan. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Surgery in physicians' offices is a growing trend, and growing right along with it are patient concerns about anesthesia safety in those settings. To help office based surgeons and anesthesia professionals alleviate those concerns for their patients, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) has published a new education brochure titled, Office Based Anesthesia: What Every Patient Should Know to Prepare for Surgery and Anesthesia in a Physician's Office.

The movement of healthcare services away from traditional inpatient facilities such as hospitals to outpatient settings has dramatically increased the volume of surgery (including invasive procedures) being performed in the private offices of plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, podiatrists, and other healthcare practitioners. While the majority of these services are provided in a safe and effective manner, the complexity of services and procedures being performed in the office setting has brought the subject of office based healthcare to the forefront.

"Surgery and anesthesia provided in physicians' offices is a safe alternative to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers," said Sandra Tunajek, CRNA, ND, director of Practice for the 30,000-member AANA. "However, it is very important for patients to be aware of what questions to ask their surgeon and anesthesia professional before having a procedure done in an office, and this brochure will assist them in doing just that."

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