Anesthesia Shortage Complicates Surgery

Widespread drug shortages are making surgery more complicated. That is the conclusion of a survey conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Over the last year nearly every single physician experienced a problem obtaining crucial medications for anesthesia. Currently, 90 percent of the anesthesiologists surveyed report at least one drug shortage. When these specialists cannot find alternative medications they have had to alter their care or even postpone surgery. Patients who are planning elective surgery are encouraged to talk to their anesthesiologist in advance about how the current anesthesia shortages might affect their care.