There should be a clear line of communication between the duty anaesthetist, theatre staff and anaesthetic practitioner once a decision is made to undertake an emergency caesarean birth.
Consultants or autonomously practising anaesthetists providing anaesthesia for heart or lung transplantation should have appropriate training and substantial experience of advanced cardiovascular monitoring and support.
Cardiac anaesthetists should be familiar with the normal physiological effects of pregnancy and the general principles of obstetric anaesthesia.43
Decision support systems for crisis scenarios should be available, for example the Association of Anaesthetists Quick Reference Handbook.101
Hospitals should consider appointing a lead anaesthetist for diabetes with appropriate time for the role identified in their job plan.270
Training of anaesthetists includes attaining the competency to perform medical assessment of patients prior to anaesthesia and surgery or other procedures.276
The preassessment clinic should be predominantly led by suitably trained nurses or other extended role practitioners using agreed protocols and with support from an anaesthetist.
All patients undergoing elective procedures should be provided, prior to admission with information on their intended treatment pathway (day surgery or enhanced recovery) that is easy to understand.96 This should include information on the operation, anaesthesia, recovery and postoperative pain relief. Provision of this information should be documented in the patient’s notes.97 The written and verbal information given...
