Search
We've found 10184 results
There should be a clinical lead (see glossary) for ECT who is responsible for provision of the service in each anaesthetic department. The named consultant should be responsible for determining the optimal location for provision of anaesthesia for patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification III or above. Contingency plans for transfer to an acute care facility should also...
Anaesthetists should have specialised knowledge of the effect of concurrent medications, anaesthetic agents and anaesthetic techniques on the conduct and efficacy of ECT, as well as the specific anaesthetic contraindications.45,47
Standards specific to ECT clinics include a minimum of four rooms: a waiting room, treatment room, recovery area and post ECT waiting area.46 The clinic should have a reliable source of oxygen supplied either by pipeline or cylinder with a reserve supply immediately available.
Equipment for managing the airway, including the difficult airway, emergency drugs, resuscitation equipment and a defibrillator should all be available.
Standards for monitoring and recovery are stipulated by the Association of Anaesthetists and should be adhered to for all ECT cases.10
General anaesthesia for dentistry should be administered only by anaesthetists in a hospital setting as defined by the Department of Health report reviewing general anaesthesia and conscious sedation in primary dental care.54
Guidelines including those published by the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland for the management of children referred for dental extractions under general anaesthesia should be followed.55
The complexity of endoscopic techniques is increasing and patient comorbidities are challenging to operator delivered sedation. Hospitals should have a protocol for the delivery of sedation. Appropriately trained personnel should deliver these techniques and follow locally developed protocols.
Anaesthetic staff providing care in the endoscopy suite should be familiar with the facility, equipment and techniques.
Protocols should be in place to manage high risk patients, e.g. those with significant gastrointestinal bleeds within an operating theatre, especially out of hours.
