NSMC Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthesia to alleviate pain and suppress consciousness of the patient undergoing surgery. They begin by evaluating a patient prior to surgery, to determine the type and level of anesthesia administered. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (RNAs), who are advanced practice nurse specialists, provide the anesthesia in collaboration with the team (learn more about RNAs.) Anesthesia is used during surgery to control pain and support life functions. In most cases, the anesthesiologist decides when the patient has recovered enough to be sent home following outpatient surgery or has been stabilized sufficiently to be moved to a regular room or ward in the medical facility.

NSMC anesthesiologist also provide medical care and consultations in many other settings and situations in addition to the operating room. Anesthesiologists play an important role in pain management, prescribing and administering drug therapies for:

• Acute pain treatment
• Chronic pain treatment
• Treatment for pain associated with cancer
• Childbirth pain
• Cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty procedures
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Radiological imaging or scanning procedures
• Gastrointestinal endoscopies
• In vitro fertilization procedures