Anaesthetist open day in Hutt
They can put you to sleep but when you need an operation, an anaesthetist has your life in his or her hands.
Monday October 17 is National Anaesthesia Day and Hutt Valley Health Board chief executive Ashley Dr Ashley Bloomfield will be part of a live demonstration.
The theme for the day is regional anaesthesia, which is used for a range of operations and procedures, such as epidurals for pain relief during childbirth and operations on limbs, including hip and knee replacements.
It is often the only option for people too unwell to cope with a full general anaesthetic.
Regional anaesthesia numbs only the part of the body being operated on and patients may be able to talk to their anaesthetist and other theatre staff.
Or they can have a light general anaesthetic or sedation as well, leaving them unconscious and unaware.
The benefits of regional anaesthesia include better pain control, faster recovery, fewer side effects and less stress on the body.
Hospital staff will demonstrate ultrasound techniques on staff, including Bloomfield.
Ultrasound enables anaesthet- ists to see where they are directing the needle administering the anaesthetic. This helps ensure its correct placement in relation to muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
National Anaesthesia Day is an annual promotion by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) marking the anniversary of the day (October 16) in 1846 when ether anaesthetic was first demonstrated publicly in Boston. The aim of the promotion is to raise public awareness of anaesthesia and the range of work anaesthetists do.
* Monday October 17 Hutt Hospital foyer, 9-3pm.