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Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
Where possible, point of care or near-patient testing should be used for blood gas analysis, measurement of electrolytes and blood sugar, haemoglobin and coagulation. This might include platelet mapping, thromboelastography or thromboelastometry.35
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
Immediate access to expert haematology advice, haematology laboratory services and blood products should be available.
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
There should be immediate access to expert radiology advice, x-ray facilities and computerised axial tomography services for patients undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgery.
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
Access to measurements of respiratory function should be available for patients undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgery, including a facility for cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
Physiotherapy services should be available during the preoperative preparation and postoperative care of patients undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgery.
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
All anaesthetic equipment should be checked before use in accordance with the Association of Anaesthetists published guidelines. Anaesthetic machine checks should be recorded in a log and on the anaesthetic chart.36
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
Pain relief protocols should be clearly defined for thoracic and cardiac surgery patients.37
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
For cardiac patients, dedicated echocardiography equipment, including transoesophageal echo should be immediately available in the operating suite and postoperative care areas. Those who deliver intraoperative echocardiography services should be trained to the level of competence defined by specialist bodies.38,36,40
Chapter 18: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Cardiac and Thoracic Procedures 2021
There should be access to a range of specialist cardiology services.38