Anesthesiology

Anesthesia is administered to patients undergoing surgical procedures, child birth and gastrointestinal procedures. This is to allow patients to have their procedures done without unnecessary pain. Anesthesia at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital is administered by certified registered nurse anesthetists or CRNAs. CRNAs are advanced practice nurses with intensive, specialized training in all forms of anesthesia including general, regional and monitored anesthesia care. CRNAs have been administering anesthesia at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital for more than 50 years.

General anesthesia is accomplished using a variety of drugs to make the patient unconscious and insensitive to pain. This will be used during procedures such as gallbladder removal and hysterectomy.

Regional anesthesia numbs a part of the body. This includes spinal and epidural anesthesia, which are used for labor and delivery or procedures on the lower part of the body. Epidurals are also used to control pain after certain abdominal surgeries. Patients are usually given a sedative in conjunction with regional anesthesia.

MAC or monitored anesthesia care is used for gastrointestinal procedures such as colonoscopy. Patients are given a sedative so they are insensitive to pain but are not as deeply asleep as during general anesthesia.

Before your Surgery

Anesthesia is safe for most patients.
Before receiving anesthesia you will be asked about your medical and personal history. It is important to answer these questions honestly.
Most surgeries require the patient to have an empty stomach. You will be told prior to your surgery when to stop eating and drinking.
Your surgery may also require certain blood test and diagnostic tests such as chest x-ray and electrocardiogram.


At D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital we strive to make your surgical experience as safe and comfortable as possible.