Recognize the Role and Responsibilities of Anesthesia Doctors

Anesthesiologist is a specialist who has the responsibility of providing anesthesia (anesthesia) before the patient undergoes surgery or other medical procedures. In addition, the anesthesiologist also studies pain management and patient care. Anesthetist background is a general practitioner who completed the education of anesthesiology specialists. Before undergoing the surgical procedure, you will be sedated so that the body becomes invulnerable and asleep The procedure is called anesthesia. The administration of drugs in anesthesia aims to make you feel no pain. Anesthesia works by blocking nerve signals in the body and brain, thereby preventing the brain from processing pain and remembering what happened during surgery.

Types of Anesthesia

Broadly speaking, anesthesia is divided into three types, namely local anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and general anesthesia.

• Local Anestation

Anesthesia only makes one part of the body immune specifically, such as the hands, feet, or certain parts of the skin. Anesthetics are given in the form of ointments, injections, or sprays. When you get local anesthesia, you will remain conscious, so you can see the procedure that is done. Local anesthesia lasts only a short time and generally the patient can go home the same day.

• Regional anesthesia

Anesthetic medicine is injected near the nerve or nerve branching, with the aim of shutting down most areas of the body but maintaining a state of consciousness. Examples are epidural and spinal anesthesia given to women during childbirth or surgical procedures.

• General anesthesia

General anesthesia aims to make the patient fall asleep and unconscious during the operation. Anesthetic medication is given by injection of a vein in the hand or arm, or inhaling gas using a mask or a small hose that is connected to a special anesthesia machine. General anesthesia is given if medical procedures take hours or are performed in most areas of the body. Once anesthetized, the anesthesiologist will intubate (installing a breathing apparatus) to ensure that the patient's airway is safe, and provide breathing assistance during the operation. General anesthesia aims to:
• Reducing patient anxiety.
• Keep the patient asleep during the surgical procedure.
• Minimize pain during surgery.
• Relax the muscles so the patient remains relaxed.
• Blocking memory during operation.

The Role of Anesthesiologist

Broadly speaking, anesthetists have roles in several medical aspects, namely:

• Preoperative management, during operation and post operation.

Anesthetists play an important role in assisting surgeons and cooperating with nurses in preparing preoperative, monitoring the patient's condition and performing anesthesia during surgery, as well as observing the condition of postoperative patients. Anesthetists ensure that the patient's condition does not worsen. Technically, the role of the anesthetist starts with administering an anesthetic. Then the anesthesiologist will intubate. Intubation is a technique used to maintain the airway and provide oxygen, by inserting a special tube (endotracheal tube / ETT) in the windpipe through the mouth. During the operation, the anesthesiologist will check and confirm the patient's vital signs, including:
• Respiration.
• Heart rate.
• Blood pressure.
• Body temperature.
• Amount of body fluids.
• Oxygen levels in the blood. Anesthetists will also make sure the patient feels comfortable and doesn't feel pain. After the operation is completed, the administration of the anesthetic drug will be stopped and the patient moved to the treatment room until conscious. The anesthetist then monitors the patient's condition until the anesthesia is gone.

• Intensive and critical care

In addition to operative procedures, anesthetists also have the responsibility of providing critical care for patients who need intensive care. Together with other medical teams, for example nurses at the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), the anesthetist is in charge of:
• Monitor the condition of critical patients more closely,
• Determine the steps for administering fluids and medicines in the ICU,
• Perform intubation measures to provide mechanical breathing assistance through a ventilator or manually if needed.
In treating patients with critical conditions, anesthetists will often collaborate with other specialist doctors, such as internal medicine doctors, surgeons, pediatricians, and neurologists, according to the patient's diagnosis and the specialty branches involved.

• Competencies and Actions taken by Anesthesia Doctors

Competencies and actions taken by anesthetists include:
• Conduct an assessment of the condition of preoperative patients.
• Monitor the patient's vital functions before, during and after surgery.
• Understanding / interpreting the results of physical examination, history taking (searching medical history), and supporting examinations including laboratory tests, CT scans and MRI, echocardiography, X-rays, and ECGs.
• Understand how to position patients safely and comfortably during surgery.
• Determine the type of anesthesia and observe the patient's condition before anesthesia, as long as the patient is under the effects of anesthesia, until post anesthesia.
• Understanding anesthesia in general surgery, eye surgery, ENT surgery, gynecology, and obstetrics, both in adult patients and children.
• Perform emergency measures such as the installation of central venous catheters and arteries, pleural puncture for pneumothorax, and tracheostomy to provide breathing assistance in cases of emergency.
• Understand the management of trauma and emergency conditions that threaten the lives of patients and be able to do early treatment and stabilization of these conditions.
• Able to perform first aid measures and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Able to manage the airway and use a face mask, larynge hood, and intubation on the airway. And determine the choice of respiratory assistance in patients, either through a mechanical breathing aid (ventilator), or manual breathing assistance.
• Perform critical patient care and case management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Able to perform acute and chronic pain management.

Anesthetists can continue their education or subspecialty. Some of these subspecialties include:

• Pain Management Consultant (Sp.An-KMN)
• Consultant Pediatric Anesthesia (pediatric surgery) (Sp.An-KAP)
• Intensive Care Consultant / ICU (Sp.An-KIC)
• Neuroanesthesiologist (anesthesiologist in cases of neurosurgery) (Sp.An-KNA)
• Cardiothoracal Anesthesiologist (Cardiothoracic Surgeon) (Sp.An-KAKV)
• Obstetric Anesthesia Consultant (midwifery, managing labor pain) (Sp.An-KAO)
• Ambulatory Anesthesia Consultant (Sp.An-KAP)
• Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management Consultant (Sp.An-KAR)

What to Do Before Meeting an Anesthesiologist

The type and dosage of anesthetic medication given is based on the type of surgery to be performed, the part of the body that will receive medical treatment, current health condition, medical history, duration of medical action, history of allergy medications that have been consumed, to the previous history of surgery if there is. Inform the anesthesiologist, regarding your medical history, allergies, and medications you are taking. If possible, bring notes about your medical history.