Decades ago, sending a patient home the same day he or she underwent surgery was unheard of. However, ongoing advancements in surgical practices as well as improvements in postoperative care have made this the norm.
Since it was first proposed in the mid-19th century, ambulatory anesthesia has become an integral component of the surgical experience. The discovery of more effective short-acting anesthetic drugs as well as a tailored approach to care has made it possible for the specialty to support a growing demand for safe and efficient ambulatory procedures.
During an interview with the ASA Monitor, Tong Joo (TJ) Gan, MD, MHS, FRCA, MBA, Professor and Distinguished Endowed Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, shared his perspective on the growth of ambulatory anesthesiology and what the future may hold.
ASA Monitor: How has the field of ambulatory anesthesiology evolved?
Dr. Gan: Ambulatory anesthesia...
