Description
In this presentation, Dr. Colin Patterson, a consultant anesthetist from Aberdeen, discusses the anesthetic assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, emphasizing the concerns that anesthetists have in these cases. He outlines four main areas of worry: airway management, overall patient fitness, practicalities of anesthetic procedures, and time considerations during surgeries.
Dr. Patterson elaborates on airway management, highlighting the challenges posed by rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in patients with predictable difficult airways or cervical spine instability. He notes the importance of thorough preoperative assessments to evaluate factors like general fitness, as rheumatoid arthritis often comes with various comorbidities and complexities in patient health. The goal, he affirms, is to optimize the patient condition prior to surgery to ensure the best outcomes.
Additionally, he stresses the significance of time management—both in the operating room and in terms of managing the patient's surgical journey—encouraging improved integration with primary care to facilitate smoother assessments and reduced delays in surgery. Throughout the presentation, he conveys the crucial role of communication among healthcare providers to coordinate care effectively and ensure safe surgical experiences for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.