Somnia CEO Advocates for Increased Patient Safety During Administration of Anesthesia for Endoscopic Procedures
American Journal of Gastroenterology Editorial reinforces the importance of anesthesiologists administering anesthesia as opposed to gastroenterologists.
New Rochelle, NY (PRWEB) July 12, 2004 -- In an effort to raise awareness on
a potentially harmful patient care issue, Somnia President and CEO Marc E. Koch,
MD, MBA and Division Director Clifford M. Gevirtz, MD, MPH speak out on the
importance of utilizing Anesthesiologists during the administration of propofol.
Propofol, which is also sold under the trade name Diprivan, is a potentially
dangerous medication that can induce a light form of anesthesia or, in higher
doses, render a patient unconscious. It is commonly used during ambulatory
surgery including endoscopic procedures.
In an editorial published in
the July, 2004 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Koch and
Dr.Gevirtz point out the fact that Propofol, in the hands of inexperienced or
untrained medical personnel, can be hazardous. Anesthesiologists have completed
medical school and a special three-year residency where they acquire complex and
special skills that can be marshaled when using potent medications such as
propofol. In front of this didactic and clinical backdrop, its safe use and the
ability to rescue a patient from misadventure become second nature.
Conversely, other medical specialists such as gastroenterologists and
surgeons have not completed a residency in anesthesiology. They are not as
familiar with powerful anesthetic medications, and the treatment of
anesthesia-related complications. Because Propofol is a fast-acting sedative
with unpredictable effects, it is imperative that an individual specifically
trained in the administration of anesthesia be responsible for the patient
sedation.
In recent months, the administration of anesthesia by
non-anesthesiologists has received increased attention and raised safety,
economic, and specialty turf issues. The demand for better analgesia and
increased comfort during medical procedures has grown dramatically. Many
professionals are asking whether other medical specialties or nurses can perform
the function of anesthesiologists. "In short, the answer is NO," said Marc E.
Koch, MD, MBA. "Patients should accept nothing less than an anesthesiologist, a
medical doctor who has finished medical school and has several years of
additional anesthesia training. As medical professionals, we have an obligation
to ourselves and our profession to ensure that we are providing the utmost level
of care to our patients."
Having authored more than a dozen articles and
book chapters addressing the clinical and administrative aspects of office-based
and ambulatory anesthesia, Koch possesses first hand knowledge of the
requirements and skill set necessary for the effective administration of
anesthesia during endoscopic procedures. Dr. Koch earned his undergraduate and
medical degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He
completed his internship at Winthrop University Hospital and his residency in
anesthesiology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is a Diplomat of
the American Board of Anesthesiology and certified by the American Board of Pain
Medicine.
Dr. Clifford Gevirtz served as Chief of Anesthesiology at the
Bronx VA Medical Center and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Mt. Sinai
Hospital and School of Medicine. His distinguished career has included clinical
and teaching positions at New York Medical College, Albert Einstein College of
Medicine, New York University and Bellevue Hospital. He received his medical
degree from Tulane University and completed his anesthesia residency at Albert
Einstein College of Medicine and anesthesia fellowship at Massachusetts General
Hospital, the renowned teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.
Somnia, Inc. is a management service organization specializing in
office-based and ambulatory anesthesia services. We are dedicated to providing
high quality, efficient and exceptional anesthesia services. For more
information, please contact us at 1.877.4SOMNIA (1.877.476.6642)
# #
#
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/7/prweb140082.htm