The Department of Anaesthesia provides expert anaesthesia care for the full spectrum of medical and surgical indications seen at a major tertiary care academic institution and Level 1 trauma centre.

General intra-operative care is divided into procedure-related areas: cardiovascular and thoracic, neurological, genitourinary, general surgical, otorhinolaryngological (ENT), Dental, ophthalmologic, orthopaedic, gynaecologic, paediatric, including liver and kidney transplants. 

Short therapeutic procedures or diagnostic studies such as special X-rays, MRIs and interventional radiology-related procedures, endoscopy and related procedures, and electro-convulsive therapies that need an anaesthesiologist’s presence and special skills are also provided.

Pre- Anaesthesia Clinic 

Pre- Anaesthesia Clinic was established in 2008 by Dr. Sarah Ninan. We screen about 150 cases per day. Patients are educated about anaesthesia with the help of videos, flashcards and patient information leaflets. Labour Analgesia and Acute Pain Services are also provided.

High-Risk Clinic (HRCA): started on 1st March 2021 

The High-Risk Anaesthesia Clinic aims to evaluate, optimise, and provide perioperative care for patients with significant co-morbidities. Most developed countries have high-risk preoperative clinics to cater to this group and this has been shown to reduce morbidity. In this clinic, surgical as well as medical patients at higher risk of developing complications are comprehensively evaluated and interventions are efficiently coordinated and completed in the weeks leading up to the surgery. This new facility is functioning in the Alpha Clinic, Rooms 24 and 25. 

Effective utilisation of an anaesthetic clinic depends on appropriate referral of “high-risk surgical patients”. Increased life expectancy and affordability of care have resulted in more elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities presenting for surgeries. Similarly, patients with significant co-morbidities, GUCH (Grown-up congenital heart disease – partially corrected), and Children with significant co-morbidities, present to the Pre-Anaesthesia Clinic (PAC) often immediately before surgery. This may result in last-minute cancellations or suboptimal outcomes. To achieve the best peri-operative outcome, anaesthetists must be part of the multidisciplinary team that optimise and manage these ‘high-risk patients’.

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES