Riverside Associates in Anesthesia, P.C.
Riverside Associates in Anesthesia, P.C. offers the best care
and service possible, around-the-clock, 365 days per year.
If you would like to request a particular anesthesiologist for
your surgery, please tell your surgeon or call Riverside
Associates. We will make every attempt to accommodate your
wishes.
The Anesthesia Care Team Approach
Since its founding in 1956, Riverside Associates has had the
reputation of delivering the highest quality anesthesia services
for elective and emergency surgery.
The provision of high quality service at any time it may be
needed was the main purpose for the establishment of Riverside
Associates. This goal has been proudly accomplished for over forty
years.
In 1980, Riverside Associates began using the Anesthesia Care
Team Concept, as a means of providing each patient with the best
coordinated care. This approach has allowed us to concentrate
particular resources (personnel, equipment) wherever needed at any
time.
The members of Riverside Associates in Anesthesia's Care Team
include Anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse
anesthesists.
Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists are physicians who have had at least four
years of specialized post graduate training after medial school.
Their education consists of in-depth knowledge in the broad field
of medicine which prepares them for their critical responsibilities
in the operating room. Modern anesthesiologists are involved in
post-operative recovery, intensive care, cardiac resuscitation,
pain treatment and respiratory therapy. However, our primary role
continues to be that of caring for our patient's needs during the
surgical experience.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesists (CRNA's)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesists (CRNA's) are registered
nurses who have received additional special training and a degree
in anesthesia as well as intensive care nursing. CRNA's have
successfully passed a rigorous national exam and are fully
certified. Under the personal supervision of the Anesthesiologists,
the CRNA's administer anesthetic drugs, monitor your vital signs
and regulate the anesthesia equipment used during your surgery.
Types of Anesthesia
The Three Broad categories of surgical anesthesia
are:
General Anesthesia
The injection of medication into a vein to bring about a state
of sleep. This may be followed by other intravenous medication and
by agents you breathe in. Sometimes we assist your breathing by
placing a tube in your windpipe while you are asleep to control
your breathing and the delivery of anesthetic agents.
Regional Anesthesia
The injection of a medication around a nerve so that a specific
part of your body becomes numb. Although you remain conscious, we
can relax you by injecting medication into a vein. You may feel
drowsy or even doze during the procedure. One type of regional
anesthetic is a "spinal" anesthesia. In a "spinal" anesthesia,
medication is injected into your spinal fluid to numb the surgical
site.
Local Anesthesia
The injection of medication into the skin around the surgical
site. The local anesthetic may be given by your surgeon. If a
member of the Anesthesia Care Team is present in the operating
room, it is because your surgeon has asked that one of us be there
to assure your comfort and to monitor your vital signs throughout
the entire surgical procedure.
The Pre-Operative Visit
Since anesthesia and surgery affect body functions, it is
necessary for the Anesthesia Care Team to learn something about
you. Each patient, and each anesthetic are different. We want to
make the "perfect match". For this reason, a member of the
Anesthesia Care Team will meet with you the morning of your
surgery. During this visit your medical record and laboratory data
are reviewed with you.
This is an excellent time for you to ask questions about your
anesthetic and about our procedures. Please bring up anything that
is puzzling or worrying you. If you prefer a certain type of
anesthetic, for example, let us know. If possible, we will try to
accommodate you. It is important that you feel comfortable about
the choices being made. The members of the Anesthesia Care Team
want your surgical experience to be as safe and comfortable as
possible.
Choosing Your Anesthetic
Selecting the most appropriate anesthetic for you
depends on a variety of things such as:
- The type of operation to be performed
- How long the operation is expected to last
- Special requirements of the surgeon
- Your condition and medical history, including any medicines you
are taking
- Your preferences
Before Your Surgery
- It is very important that you do not eat any food or
drink any liquids (including water) from midnight the night before
your surgery unless you have received different instructions from
your doctor. Also, unless your physician has indicated
otherwise, be sure to take all medications prescribed with sips of
water. (This is so that your stomach will be empty prior to the
beginning of anesthesia.)
- Write down and bring the name and dosage of each medication you
are taking, or have taken in the past year.
- We urge you to stop smoking cigarettes at least three weeks
prior to surgery.
- If you develop any acute infection (a cold, bronchitis, fever,
the flu, or any other respiratory infection), be sure to notify
your surgeon. He may want to postpone your surgery.
During Your Surgery
During your surgery, we monitor your vital signs. These include
breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature and strength of
your heart. We continually manage your entire environment and
attend to your basic needs on a minute to minute basis.
After Your Surgery
When surgery is finished, you will probably be taken to the
recovery room. This room, which is under the direction of a Staff
Anesthesiologist, is where you remain monitored by the Post
Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses until you regain consciousness
and are in a stable condition.
Side Effects
The development of knowledge, technology and medication have
made modern anesthesia techniques very safe. In general, the
healthier the patient, the lower the risk. The task of the
Riverside Anesthesia Care Team is to use the safest form of
anesthetic compatible with good surgical conditions, and we assure
you that this is a task we take extremely seriously. Your safety is
our number one priority.
There can be side effects from anesthesia. You may
experience:
- A sore throat for a day or two
- Muscle aches and pains for 12-24 hours
- Nausea and vomiting following surgery
- Redness or sore spots on your face or jaw
- A headache from a spinal anesthetic
- Soreness in your mouth, dental irritation
Most of these are minor discomforts and resolve themselves.
However, if any of these side effects continue for more than a few
days, please call our office.
If you should have any questions please
feel free to call Riverside Associates in Anesthesia at
607-722-7264 on weekdays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. A member
of our office staff will be pleased to assist you.
