Anesthesia & You

Information on Anesthesia and Anesthesiologists for the Canadian public
Provided by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Seeing You Through Your Most Critical Times

1. Anesthesiologists - who are they and what do they do?
2. Why is preoperative assessment by an anesthesiologist necessary?
3. The Pre-Anesthetic Assessment Clinic
4. Anesthesia - General, Regional or Local?
• General anesthesia
• Regional anesthesia
• Local anesthesia
• The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Anesthesiologists and critical care
• The maternity unit
• Acute pain management
• Chronic pain management
5. Why can't I eat or drink before surgery?
6. What is an 'epidural'?
7. What is a 'spinal'?
8. Will I need a blood transfusion?
9. What is awareness?
10. What if I'm allergic to anesthesia?
11. What are the risks of anesthesia?

For further information about patient education, please follow this link: http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation.htm#awareness