Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Children’s National is the only hospital in the Washington, DC, area
that guarantees a pediatric anesthesiologist administers anesthesia for
all patients at any time of the day and through the night, 24/7.
Our highly specialized team provides anesthesia and pain medicine
services at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and at
Children’s Regional Outpatient Centers where outpatient surgeries or
procedures are performed.
The Importance of a Pediatric Anesthesiologist
Pediatric anesthesiologists have expertise is caring for the
particular psychological, physical, and physiological needs of infants,
children, and teens. Pediatric anesthesiologists are physicians who
complete specialized fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia,
training beyond the regular course of instruction for an
anesthesiologist. This ensures your child is cared for in the safest
environment possible.
Our Services
Children’s anesthesiology specialists provide surgical anesthesia and
post-operative pain management for all young patients undergoing surgery
at Children’s National. We have specialized, dedicated teams for
certain procedures, including cardiac anesthesiologists for children
undergoing heart surgery in our renowned Children’s National Heart Institute.
As well, Children’s anesthesiologists provide anesthesia and
analgesia for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. When a procedure,
such as a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), requires sedation or
anesthesia, we work closely with our colleagues in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology
to help make the patient more comfortable. We also help hematology and
oncology patients undergoing procedures such as bone marrow aspiration
and cancer therapies.
Regional anesthesia and patient-controlled analgesia are available. The division has an expanded Pain Medicine Program which cares for acute and chronic pain issues in both inpatients and outpatients. The division will consult on malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary insufficiency, and pain management. Pre-operative consultation from referring physicians is welcomed and encouraged. Pre-anesthetic preparation of the child and parents is stressed.
Anesthesia Pain Medicine Service
Children's also provides the Anesthesia Pain Medicine Service as a consult for
chronic pain. The team provides consultation for patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA), epidural anesthesia, and other pain-related problems.
These problems do not necessarily have to be surgery related, and can
include conditions such as sickle cell disease.
Family-Focused Care
At Children’s National, ensuring patient and parent comfort is an
important part of the care we provide. Before a child undergoes any
surgery, diagnostic test or therapy, we make sure both the patient and
family know what to expect with anesthesia.
When medically appropriate, you may stay with a younger child while the
anesthesia is administered and until your child falls asleep.
We continuously monitor your child at all phases of surgery and in
recovery, making sure your child is safe, and that we have answered any
questions you have about your child’s procedure and that you stay
informed about your child's condition
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