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An anesthesiologist for most of us is an anonymous doctor whose sole task is to give the patient anesthesia before the procedure. Nothing could be more wrong. The anesthesiologist is much more important. Among the medical staff, he is often referred to as the deputy of the guardian angel who takes care of the patient's life. Dr. Stanisława Barham, a specialist in anesthesiology and intensive care from the Żagiel Med hospital in Lublin, talks about the hospital guardian angels, their work and competences.
Anesthesiologyis a science and a branch of clinical medicine dealing with all methods of anesthesia, treating patients immediately before, during and after surgery. Commonly, the doctoranesthesiologistis associated with the operating room and anesthesia.
- This is a good association, but incomplete - notes Stanisława Barham, MD, an anesthesiology and intensive care specialist from the Żagiel Med hospital in Lublin - it is true that an anesthesiologist is needed most of all during surgery. No medical procedure that causes pain can take place without his presence. It is the anesthesiologist who anesthetizes the patient for the procedure, cares for his safety during the procedure and allows the surgeons to focus on the surgical field. However, this is only the tip of the mountain of responsibilities - he adds.
Anesthesiologist - who is he? What does it do?
The first contact with the anesthesiologist takes place before the planned procedure, during an interview with the patient. The anaesthesiologist must find time for an exhaustive conversation with the patient, who provides information on past diseases, chronic diseases, previous treatment, allergies, medications, etc. Then the anesthesiologist discusses with the patient the type of anesthesia, preparation for the procedure and subsequent stages of the procedure.
Dr. Barham notes that informing is as important a part of the anesthesiologist's job as caring for the patient during surgery. - We care for the psychological comfort of the patient and his family. We talk about his fears, we provide all the information to eliminate these fears, so that he feels safe. We respect the patient's dignity at every stage of their treatment, regardless of their state of he alth. Even in difficult times of illness and treatment, we help him build a he althy self-esteem- adds Dr. Barham.
- The anaesthesiologist accompanies the patient at every stage of hospital treatment. Also after the surgery, he is one of the doctors most often found in the recovery room. The anaesthesiologist's job here is to help the patient recover from the procedure. The main goal is to combat post-operative pain - explains Dr. Barham and adds that in this case empathy and understanding of the patient dealing with pain after the procedure are extremely important.
Anesthesiologist treats pain
The work of an anaesthesiologist often extends beyond surgery wards. Pain relief methods known to anesthesiologists are used not only in the perioperative period, but also in patients suffering from chronic pain. Usually these are patients with neoplastic diseases.
- We are constantly making every effort to reduce pain in such people as much as possible. We help them survive the worst stages of the disease, we support and talk, we encourage them … - says Dr. Barham.
Patients in critical condition are under the special care of an anaesthesiologist: - We spend most of our time in Intensive Care Units, which are significantly different from other hospital wards. Patients who require complex, invasive techniques to treat and monitor vital functions come here, explains Dr. Barham.
- An anaesthesiologist is required to be professional, comprehensive knowledge and skills in saving patients' lives. In each of these cases, the anesthesiologist is like a good spirit surrounding the patient with care and care. On the one hand, it is a great responsibility and professionalism, and on the other hand, it is a great empathy and willingness to provide support and help. - says Dr. Barham, adding that doctors of this speci alty also play an important role in the process of organ transplantation. - In this case, our task is, inter alia, identifying the patient as a donor, explains Dr. Barham.
An anaesthesiologist is always part of the hospital's resuscitation team and is summoned to a life-threatening emergency in all departments and the emergency room. - We are trying to restore life and maintain it. We are also helping to bring new life into the world, Dr. Barham notes. It is anesthesiologists who have knowledge about the most effective methods of relieving pain associated with childbirth, by using, inter alia, epidural anesthesia.
Source: youtube.com/Szpital with a specialist clinic | Sail MED