In 1939, when Gertie Marx, M.D., the “mother of obstetric anesthesia,” practiced medicine, obstetric anesthesiology didn’t exist. She pioneered the practice. She also was an early advocate of saddle block, the use of caudal catheters and a supporter of permitting fathers in the delivery room. What were the complications rates back then? We can assume they were much higher than today. But no one was keeping track.

Research on how the brain works is the realm of anesthesiologists and neuroscientists who often interact but do not work together to share their knowledge. Renowned anesthesia researcher Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., wants that to change.

Despite efforts to curb opioid prescriptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that synthetic opioid related fatalities increased 22 percent in 2016, surpassing deaths related to heroin or prescription opioids.

Practices that have not yet determined how to meet 2017 MACRA reporting requirements are not alone. More important, they are not too late to learn about last-minute reporting options through the Anesthesia Quality Institute’s (AQI’s) National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry (NACOR).

“For me, it is a lot of the small things. It’s great that there are machines and ultrasound etc., but the average practicing anesthesiologist does not purchase the big equipment. I like seeing items like pre-made bite blocks or I.V. extension things that are small and easily obtained but can make big differences in our daily workflow.”

Get the latest updates on a variety of patient safety issues Tuesday during a fast-paced, interactive session led by editors of ASA’s ACE and SEE education programs.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) has been foundational for the study of the effects of anesthesia on the brain for 80 years, since the publication of a landmark study of its use. In Tuesday’s John W. Severinghaus Lecture, renowned anesthesiologist and researcher Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., will examine the history of EEG, its impact on science and the future of studying the effects of anesthesia.

What happens to humans in the moments surrounding death might be one of the most intriguing mysteries of life. Monday’s FAER-Helrich Research Lecture will explore that mystery as well as the role anesthesiologists could play in solving it.

Recurrent exposure to violence and life-threatening situations can link physicians with soldiers, firefighters and police officers in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also can link physicians with patients who have experienced traumatic illness or injury.

A growing number of surgical procedures are performed on healthy children in ambulatory surgery centers and satellite hospitals where emergencies are rare. Emergencies do happen, so anesthesiologists need to be prepared.