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
Pain relief protocols should be clearly defined for thoracic and cardiac surgery patients.37
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
There should be access to a range of specialist cardiology services.38
The recommended standards of monitoring, by instrument or otherwise, should be met for every patient.4
24/7 access to cardiac electrophysiology services should be available.
Children undergoing cardiac and thoracic procedures have special requirements and the responsibility for paediatric anaesthetic care may be shared with paediatric anaesthetists.42
Paediatric cardiac surgical patients should be cared for in a unit designed and equipped to care for paediatric patients and staffed by appropriately trained nurses. Such a unit should meet the standards defined for paediatric critical care, including adequate arrangements for retrieval and transfer of patients.43,44
Children currently transition to adult congenital heart disease services at the age of 16–18 years, although transition services are integrated into the care pathway from age 12 years. Anaesthetists should be aware of legislation and good practice guidance relevant to young and vulnerable adults.45,51
Specialist anaesthetists should be involved in the discussion of referrals and planning when this is conducted in the setting of a multidisciplinary team. This should be recognised in job plans.