You make an excellent point regarding surgery for children. Another suggestion that can help protect the safety of any surgical patient is ensuring that the facility is accredited. Both hospitals and outpatient centers are good choices, with my bias being an outpatient facility that is able to cater to the needs of the child, as well as being flexible enough to handle special requests by parents. Three popular accrediting bodies certify ambulatory surgical facilities: JACHO (familiar to us from the hospitals), AAAHC, and AAAASF.
Additionally, ensure that the anesthesia is provided by a board certified anesthesiologist or board certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
I am happy to hear that you suggest the parent have a discussion about anesthesia with the child. There is an excellent coloring book called "Sweet Dreams at the Hospital". It is a coloring and activity book for children about to undergo anesthesia and surgery by Marjorie Stamler Bergemann, CRNA and illustrated by Karen Monckton.
It is available here: http://www.aana.com/Resources.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=159&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=206
Ron Seligman, CRNA, MS
Annapolis, MD
Dad of Bekah, 4 & Abbi, 7
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Cathy-
You make an excellent point regarding surgery for children. Another suggestion that can help protect the safety of any surgical patient is ensuring that the facility is accredited. Both hospitals and outpatient centers are good choices, with my bias being an outpatient facility that is able to cater to the needs of the child, as well as being flexible enough to handle special requests by parents. Three popular accrediting bodies certify ambulatory surgical facilities: JACHO (familiar to us from the hospitals), AAAHC, and AAAASF.
Additionally, ensure that the anesthesia is provided by a board certified anesthesiologist or board certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
I am happy to hear that you suggest the parent have a discussion about anesthesia with the child. There is an excellent coloring book called "Sweet Dreams at the Hospital". It is a coloring and activity book for children about to undergo anesthesia and surgery by Marjorie Stamler Bergemann, CRNA and illustrated by Karen Monckton.
It is available here: http://www.aana.com/Resources.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=159&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=206
Ron Seligman, CRNA, MS
March 21, 2009 - 4:12amAnnapolis, MD
Dad of Bekah, 4 & Abbi, 7
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