New machine could one day replace anesthesiologists

Re:New machine could one day replace anesthesiologists by jepper on Tuesday May 12, 2015 @08:59AM (#9531361)

Yes, some standard procedures on ASA1 patiens do not require a lot of sophistication. However do not underestimate how hard anesthesiology is, while 90% routine, 10% is incredibly complex stressfull scenarios in trauma/emergency, surgical complications, adverse events. Its much more than just heart rate, RR, oxymetry etc. Its knowledge about medicine interactions, organ systems, physiological systems and the skill to perform under immense pressure (trying to provide a permanent airway through facial trauma or large bore IV access for fluid replacements on a patient in volumetric shock) And while uncommon it can happen during standard procedures in ASA1 patients. I'd rather have the anesthesiologist close please.

As a quick sedation system these sound wonderfull though, for example for resetting joint dislocations in the OR where all emergency staff and equipment is already in place.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New machine could one day replace anesthesiologists by hga on Tuesday May 12, 2015 @09:27AM (#9531551)

ASA1 == American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system "Healthy person", e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASA_physical_status_classifica...

With an increasingly graying population in the US, rdudekul's hopes ... well, I suppose if you can decrease e.g. the ASA 1 need for anesthesiologists while they're still on tap if things go south, it'll overall help. But it's probably not going to get big, and will create triage like situations where people will needlessly die when there's no anesthesiologist to spare.

[ Parent | on HN ]