Princess Alexandra Hospital is showcasing the highly skilled anaesthetists who play a vital role in keeping patients safe and comfortable before, during and after surgery.
There are around 120 Senior Medical Officers and 40 Registrars at PAH who are an essential part of the surgical team.
This year's Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) In Safe Hands campaign features PAH Deputy Director of Anaesthesia Professor David Sturgess.
"I know it's safe, but the person in front of me might still have some concerns. The conversation for me is not so much talking through the risks as actually talking through what I'm doing to minimise the risks for people,” said Prof Sturgess.
"The patient outcomes are spectacular. Advances in anaesthetics enable surgical advances and it's all for the benefit of the patient.”
"Proper preparation is really important when getting ready for an anaesthetic."
National Anaesthesia Day is held every year on 16 October and this year’s theme is all about preparing for surgery, with some key fasting rules:
- Stop solid food and non-clear fluids at least six hours before surgery
- You can sip clear liquids until you're called to the operating theatre
- Tell your anaesthetist in advance if you're using weight-loss medications
- Always follow the specific instructions from your anaesthetist.
In particular, ANZCA is urging patients using GLP-1 weight-loss injections and peptides to alert their anaesthetist before surgery.
“Your anaesthetist needs to know if you are taking these medications so they can assess the safest approach for your procedure,” said ANZCA President Dr Tanya Selak.
While National Anaesthesia Day is an opportunity to highlight important advice, it’s also a chance to recognise the dedication of the anaesthetists who provide that care every day.
"I'm always fascinated by anaesthesia,” said Prof Sturgess. “I get out of bed in the morning with a real sense of purpose and go to work with energy."
Shout-out to all our anaesthetists for their expertise and compassion, today and every day!