Preventing Pain And Increasing Comfort
Anesthesia is medicine to prevent pain and increase comfort during surgery and other procedures. Prior to any use of this type of medicine, you’ll meet with our experienced anesthesia provider to discuss options, review risks and side-effects, and answer your questions.
Anesthesia is medication administered by a trained anesthesia provider to give you a safe and comfortable surgery experience. Prior to any procedure requiring anesthesia you’ll meet with one of our experienced anesthesia providers to discuss options, review risks and benefits, side-effects, and answer your questions.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used for most types of surgeries, this type of anesthesia ensures that you’re completely asleep. It’s administered through an IV, face mask, or breathing tube.
Monitored Anesthesia Care or MAC may be possible for your surgery. MAC may also be referred to as sedation or moderate sedation. During MAC, you will experience decreased consciousness. Your ability to breathe normally is maintained.
Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthesia is an injection of medication in your spine that numbs your lower extremities for the period of time needed for your surgery. This form of anesthesia can be used for orthopedic procedures such as total joint replacement.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Peripheral nerve blocks are a type of regional anesthesia which provides added pain relief at a specific body part. With ultrasound guidance one of our anesthesia providers will inject local anesthesia medication to a specific location to numb a particular extremity. Nerve blocks are commonly administered to patients undergoing total knee replacement or shoulder surgeries. Sometimes regional anesthesia is combined with general anesthesia depending on the type of surgery.
PACE Clinic
The Preoperative Assessment, Communication, and Education Clinic or PACE Clinic provides access to perioperative services where PACE Clinic staff evaluate and optimize your health before surgery.
Before you have surgery at Teton Valley Health Care (TVHC) Hospital, PACE Clinic staff will review your medical, surgical, and anesthesia histories, conduct a health screening, and educate you on how to prepare for, and recover from, your surgery.
Your PACE Clinic Visit includes information on:
- Medical history including any severe diseases
- Anesthesia history including complications
- General health and fitness
- Current medications
- Surgical history
- Vital signs
- Allergies
Additional Tests
You may also need additional tests that can include blood tests (blood count, blood clotting studies, blood type and screening), a urine test (to exclude infections, which may need treatment before surgery), nasal swabs for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), a type of bacteria which can cause troublesome wound infections, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart.
Preparing for Your Surgery
Your PACE Clinic team will provide you with personalized information that you will need to know about your surgery, including what you can – or cannot – eat or drink before and after surgery.
Before Surgery
A PACE Clinic nurse will contact you before your surgery to review your health history and give you any specific instructions.
On the day of your surgery one of our anesthesia providers will discuss an anesthesia plan that is appropriate for your type of surgery and your health status and it will included one of the following:
- General anesthesia
- Regional anesthesia
- Monitored Anesthesia Care
After Surgery
Most surgeries require medication prescribed by your surgeon for pain relief to help you move and breathe, sleep better, recover faster, and return to your normal lifestyle. Some surgeries may also require your participation in occupational, physical, or speech therapy.
Going Home
You must have a responsible person drive you home after surgery, and if not, your surgery will be canceled. After anesthesia you cannot drive for at least 24 hours. Be sure to prepare your home for your recovery. You may need more help for the first 48 hours – or longer – from friends or family with meals, laundry, bathing, cleaning and care of small children.
Meet Our Providers
Rated among the top Anesthesia Specialists in Southeast Idaho, Director of Anesthesia Daniel P.W. Smith, DO brings the best in anesthesia and pain management during surgery.
Daniel P.W. Smith, DO is a Fellowship-Trained Interventional Pain Management Specialist and the Director of Anesthesia at Teton Valley Health. Dr. Smith specializes in treating all types of pain including: Abdominal Pain, Arm and Leg Pain, Arthritis Pain, Back Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Diabetic Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Head Pain, Joint Pain, Neck Pain, Nerve Injuries, and more.