A doctor’s ability to keenly observe a patient in detail is part of a ritual that has, for centuries, connected doctors with their patients. But this process is becoming endangered as the demands of Big Data threaten this critical component of the diagnostic process.

On Saturday, ASA recognized this year’s recipients of the 2019 Award for Excellence in Research and the James E. Cottrell, M.D., Presidential Scholar Award. Anesthesiology Editor-in-Chief Evan D. Kharasch, M.D., Ph.D., introduced the recipients.

Anesthesiology residents typically work between 64 and 70 hours per week. With on-call duty, that can mean working up to 24 hours straight with little or no sleep. Of course, residents aren’t the only ones rubbing their eyes. Many practicing anesthesiologists work long hours and overnights, too.

Anesthesiologists are frequently called upon to make game-time decisions, the consequences of which can be life and death for the patients on the table. In yesterday’s session “Intraoperative Critical Care: How Best to Succeed When All Seems Lost,” three panelists shared wisdom on how to manage three particularly challenging scenarios.

ASA members continued their dedication to advocacy and patient safety during ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019. In addition to continued support for advancing the specialty, attendees have been using new mobile technology to advocate for a top policy priority–ending surprise medical bills.

The ASA Daily News asks: Why is the ANESTHESIOLOGY annual meeting valuable to you?

Physician-led anesthesia care has become a hot topic in many discussions and education sessions at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019. By design, ASA is focusing attention on this important topic as a means to improve patient care.

Medical history books spotlight important discoveries and innovations in anesthesiology, but many more scientific advances and scientists go unnoticed.

There’s no debating it. Medical technology is a must-have today and will be in the future. From electronic anesthetic records to wireless infusion pumps, pacemakers, and other implanted devices, clinicians place implicit trust in the functionality and security of these technologies.

Anesthesiologists are sometimes referred to as the guardian angels of the O.R. They watch over and protect patients through life-saving procedures and through critical illness in the ICUs. But their guardian role is often fleeting.