About anesthesiology
Primarily, anesthesia is provided to block pain impulses to the brain during patient surgery in the operating room; however, anesthesia services are also commonly administered to patients in intensive care and patients needing resuscitation.
Anesthesiology integrates knowledge of pharmacology, physiology and internal medicine along with a deep understanding of surgery. The discipline is also called perioperative care because treatment begins from the moment a physician decides to perform surgery until after the surgery is completed.
In a patient’s pre-surgical meeting, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist evaluate the patient’s health status and medical history, prescribe tests, and consult on the case, as well as plan for and define instructions in preparation for the surgery. Key objectives of the meeting are to optimize the patient’s chances of success and to minimize the risk of complications.
An essential service to patients undergoing operations
During surgery, the anesthesiologist plays a key role in the patient’s care, both in the anesthetization itself and in making sure the patient’s bodily systems, such as the heart and circulatory system, respiratory system, and nervous system continue to function normally. The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Anesthesiology Division uses the most progressive anesthetics, breathing equipment, and diagnostic and monitoring equipment, such as:
- Ultrasounds
- Transesophageal echocardiograms
- Heart rate monitoring equipment
- Fiber-optic intubation equipment
At the conclusion of the surgery, the patient is transitioned to the recovery unit for continued anesthesia monitoring and treatment—until he/she can be transferred to the appropriate hospitalization department or discharged home. Patients who are likely to experience significant pain following surgery are referred to the Pain Management Institute.
Extensive care beyond the operating room
Anesthesiology is an integral part of patient treatment across many disciplines, from surgery through resuscitation. Anesthesiology services include:
- The dream service: Providing pediatric patient sedation in a calming environment
- Broad sedation services: Anesthesia is provided for patient diagnostic and treatment imaging procedures, such as angiograms, MRIs, and CTs. Gastroenterology procedures use the services, for both adults and children.
- Invasive procedures for cardiology catheterizations: Recent innovations are being applied to patient anesthetization and monitoring in various invasive cardiology procedures, such as stent implantation, heart valve replacement, and arrhythmia treatments.
- Dental care: Anesthetization or sedation is provided by anesthesia specialists during dental procedures—for children or adults with special needs, or during extended or extensive treatment.
Professional education and instruction
The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Anesthesiology Division is the most highly demanded anesthesiology residency program in Israel. Typically, about 30 residents a year participate in various stages of the program. Residents are exposed to all anesthesiology methods and to a broad range of adult and pediatric procedures. Residents have the opportunity to gain experience in treating a wide variety of patients and medical conditions, including care in emergency situations.
During the residency program, residents receive formal instruction in the Intensive Care Unit and the Pain Clinic. In addition, residents take an active role in research projects conducted in the division, as well as in academic activities. Residents receive extensive instruction and preparation for the residency tests. Proof of the program’s success lies in the number of residents who pass the tests; the results are among the highest in Israel.
The Anesthesiology Division hosts colleagues from other Israeli and international anesthesiology departments—for continuing education and experience in general anesthesiology and specialized disciplines, including anesthesia for heart surgery, neurosurgery, and pediatric surgery. Each year, the division hosts medical students so they can gain exposure to the field of anesthesiology. The positive feedback and level of satisfaction from the students are also among the highest in Israel.
Groundbreaking research
The Anesthesiology, Pain and Intensive Care Division conducts clinical and scientific research and publishes in local and international journals across multiple disciplines, in areas such as:
- Fluid balance management during surgery
- Treating post-surgical pain
- Monitoring anesthetized patients including anesthetic depth
- Cognitive impairment and morbidity post anesthesia
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Equipment development in partnership with commercial businesses
- Ischemia and reperfusion of isolated organs in lab animals
