California Society of Anesthesiologists

CSA News

Staying Awake in Surgery

Today’s minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques allow patients to undergo complex procedures with small incisions and fast recovery times. Nearly all these cases require general anesthesia, controlled breathing and complete muscle paralysis; the surgeon needs a motionless target. The patient cannot be awake.

Repeal and Replace Rejected in House

On Friday, March 24, Republican leadership removed the House GOP bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from consideration on the House Floor. This move to postpone final votes on the House Republican budget reconciliation bill, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), follows days of debate as House Republican leaders and the President worked to develop a package that Republican members could support.

House Committees Introduce ACA Repeal and Replace Legislation

Please find an update from the ASA concerning legislation introduced by the House GOP leadership to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act.

The OB Patient Experience – A New Paradigm

Patient experience is the new Holy Grail. Just as patient satisfaction became king, scores are no longer sufficient. Like any business, a positive customer experience leads to brand loyalty, repeat business, referrals and social proof. Long ago, I incorporated the “business” aspects of running a busy obstetric anesthesiology service into my curriculum for obstetric anesthesiology fellowship. To thrive in 2017, you need to know, too!

Anesthesia and Developing Brains — Implications of the FDA Warning

For more than 15 years, the potential for lasting neurotoxic effects of agents used to induce general anesthesia and sedation when administered to young children — and indirectly through pregnant women to fetuses with developing brains — has been a subject of concern and considerable research interest.