NY Anesthesiologist Society President: Sedative Shortage Prolongs Patient Recovery Time

An ongoing shortage of sedatives like propofal and fentenyl are prolonging recovery times for New York patients, said Michael Simon, MD, president of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, in a WNYT report.

Dr. Simon, who practices with a group encompassing 27 hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in New York and Pennsylvania, says that he often must administer general anesthesia because the drugs needed for local anesthesia aren't available.

As a result, hospitals and surgery centers have to work closely with retailers and wholesalers to insure an adequate supply of the drugs, he said. Some hospitals and surgery centers have to buy in bulk and then distribute the drug into usable doses, which increases the possibility for errors in a specialty that allows for none, Dr. Simon added.

Related Articles on Anesthesia:

CMS Corrects Error in 2012 Anesthesia Conversion Factors
New Wisconsin Law Sets Standards for Anesthesiologist Assistants
Surgery Center of Pennsylvania Selects Premier Anesthesia

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.