The History Of Intravenous Anaesthesia

Anesthesiologists give patients anesthetics in a variety of ways, such as “orally, intravenously, by gas or direct injection to render patients insensible to pain Anesthesiologists typically maintain the same daily schedule a surgeon follows, participating in both scheduled and unscheduled operations. Anesthesiologists are responsible for determining the proper anesthetic and dosage level for each patient. They monitor the patients progress prior to, during, and after surgery.”(“Anesthesiologist” 31)

This Anaesthetic case study would describes and discussed the scenario of a patient through the anaesthetic role of their surgical procedure. It will include and discuss the anaesthetic safety procedures equipment and drug interventions used to ensure this particular patients maximum safety and comfort before and during the procedure. The case study will include pre and peri-operative assessment in order to describe the involvement contribution of various specialties in the holistic care of the critical care patient. This assignment will focus only on the anaesthetics side of the procedure but will also highlight the importance of the triad of anaesthesia and discuss the administration, maintenance and reversal of

The history of nurse anesthesia cannot be accurately studied without a thorough analysis of the pioneer and transformational leader, Alice Magaw. Charles Mayo called her the Mother of Anesthesia for many good reasons (CRNA Profiles, n.d.). It is worthy of the student anesthetist’s time to study the life, education, employment, leadership, publications, and legacy of Alice Magaw.

In comparison to modern medicine, the techniques used during the Civil War are vastly different than medical measures that are implemented in a medical setting today. Surgeons during the Civil War used sulfuric ether and chloroform as anesthesia. Sulfuric ether was discovered in Europe in the 1830s, and was first used as a anesthetic by William Morton in 1846 (Reimer). Anesthesia was only used in 95% of Civil War surgeries (Reimer). Sulfuric ether and chloroform were administrated by placing the chloroform or sulfuric ether on a sponge at the top of a cone and putting the open end over the nose and mouth (Reimer). This method wasted a lot of the liquid as it evaporated (Reimer). Due to the loss of solution, surgeons used just enough to make

For thousands of years, opiates have been used in the treatment of pain. Opium is believed to have been discovered 6000 BC, and since then, it has had a huge impact on both medicine and the recreations of those seeking euphoria. More recent than the ancient discovery of natural opium are the derivatives of opium, such as the alkaloids morphine, codeine, and thebaine. From these alkaloids, semi-synthetic opiates can by synthesized, such as hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Synthetic opioids are also quite prevalent, which include fentanyl and tramadol. Opium can also be processed into heroin, a morphine derivative. As advancements were made in science and engineering to allow for a wider distribution and usage of opiates, the problems of dependence and overdose also increased drastically. According to Hart and Ksir (2013, p. 302), the invention of the hypodermic needle for intravenous administration of morphine and other drugs allowed for a much faster and more potent dose of the drug. With this increased potency came an increase in the possibility of a recreational intravenous user to overdose. Hart also mentions that some of the wars surrounding the era of the synthesis of morphine may have contributed to the rise of morphine, seeing as a medic soldier’s motto was always “first provide relief” (2013). This relief-driven attitude and extensive use of opioid analgesics in medicine during the time, in addition to the large amount of patent medicines and remedies on the market may

The two main types of Anesthesia the doctors used was either chloroform or ether. The doctors usually did one of

In 2014, more people died from drug overdoses then in any other year on record. A substantial amount of deaths were due to drug overdose on opioids, according to the CDC. (2015:64). In 1901, surgeon Racoviceanu-Pitesti published his first report on opioids for intrathecal anesthesia. In 1979, a report on the use of morphine as a treatment for pain was made, by Behar and his colleagues. Epidural and spinal opioids are today part of a routine regimen for intra- and postoperative anesthesia, according to Fisher (2003:683). Historically opioids have been used as painkillers, however the potential for misuse is huge; when these are used repeatedly, it increases the risk of developing an addiction. The use of illegal opiate drugs such as heroin

Another way anesthesia improved healthcare was through continued public acknowledgement of its versatility. It also led to new discoveries in the medical field and impacted the rest of America's medical-related future. First off, it was widely used in the Crimean War over in Europe from 1853-1856. Because of anesthesia's success in the Crimean War, American physicians read up on the use of chloroform through pamphlets and documents that detailed how chloroform was used in the Crimean War and how it was used in civilian practices (Devine). As the war raged on, it soon became a common realization, after trial and error, that doctors should use chloroform during surgical operations when needed. By the end of the Civil War, Union records showed

The Experience of a Civil War surgeon. Without chloroform and ether, the death rate in the Civil War would have been much higher. In the book Civil War medicine; Challenges and Triumphs by, Alfred Bollet, the Chapter called Desperate Measures for Desperate Wounds talks about surgery and the use of anesthesia during the Civil War. Drawing on the experiences of European military surgeons, Civil War surgeons used the best information available at the time to help their patients. Although hampered by the lack of knowledge about bacteria, surgeon adapted and invented techniques to solve new surgical problems. The area around the wound was shaved and debrided to improve anesthesia. Chloroform was the anesthetic used during the Civil War . During

Even through the Civil War was very bloody and gruesome, there were some positive effects on America’s medicine. This may include medicine in the pharmacy, performing surgerys, and Prosthetics. During the war the most injuries were resulting in amputation because soldiers were shot by “Minie Ball” bullets which would shatter bones and limbs.(pbs.com) Anesthesia was commonly used during surgeries. The top two types of Anesthesia was Chloroform and Ether.

620,00 soldiers died in the Civil War, of those 2/3 of the deceased were struck down by disease. Today modern medicine has solved many problems. For example, we now understand the importance of sanitation, and how diseases spreads. However back in the 1800's things like the importance of sanitation and diseases spreading were not hugely known about. Which lead to a lot problems and disgusting surroundings for doctors and patients.

Anesthesia was developed in order to block or prevent pain during medical procedures. Anesthesia has been the backbone of the medical world for around 100 years now. Early anesthetics were primitive and many patients simply did not trust anesthetics. Anesthesia is still a risky process even in todays advanced medical world. Anesthesia is not used to treat or diagnose any specific disease; the sole purpose is to aid both the patient and surgeon through procedures. However, anesthesia is used in different ways based on the magnitude of the procedure. There are three levels of anesthesia which include; local, regional, and general anesthesia. An anesthesiologist determines which type of anesthesia will be needed.

This feature also enables the use of this technique into the postoperative period for analgesia, using lower concentrations of local anaesthetic drugs or in combination with different agents.

There are many methods to administer opiates into the body. According to Fleckenstein, Hanson, and Venturelli, “mainlining” is still the preferred method for illegal opiates (e.g., Heroine) (2015, p. 287.). Mainlining is receiving an opiate through intravenous injection. If prescribed (e.g., Vicodin), generally one would be prescribed pills. Another way to ingest the drug is by “snorting” or violently breathing in the drug (in a powdered or crushed up form) through the nostrils. Oral administration of opiates (e.g., Codeine) is another common way to ingest opiates. Intramuscular administration is another form of taking opiates. In intramuscular administration, one injects the opioid narcotic into a muscle (Fleckenstein, et al., 2015, p. 286.).

There is general, regional and local anesthesia. In general anesthesia, one is unconscious and has no awareness or other feelings. There are a number of general anesthetic drugs such as gases or vapors inhaled through a breathing mask or tube and medications introduced through an IV. In regional anesthesia, the anesthesiologist makes and injection near a cluster of nerves to numb the area of the body that requires surgery. The patient may stay awake, or may be given a sedative, either way they do not see or feel the actual surgery taking place. There are several kinds of regional anesthetics. The two most common are spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia. In local anesthesia, the anesthetic drug is usually injected into the tissue to numb just the specific location of the body requiring minor surgery. No matter what anesthetic is received the patient will not have feeling during the surgery.