Anesthesiology
News
www.anes.upmc.edu/anesnews
Pursuing the Holy Grail of Anesthesia
The History of the University of Pittsburgh
Department of Anesthesia’s Research Program
into the Mechanism of Anesthetic Action
Many advances in the field of anesthesia have been made in the last 157 years, and yet the molecular mechanisms of general anesthesia remain elusive. Despite these major advances in the delivery and practice of anesthesia we still are unclear about the nature and even the definition of the anesthetic state. In this article I briefly review fundamental concepts in anesthetic action theory and describe the history and major contributions of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Anesthesia's Research Program into the Mechanism of Anesthetic Action.
Anesthesia and Disaster Medicine: Part II
Framework for Mass Casualty Management
and the Role of the Anesthesiologist
This article is the second in a 3-part series on anesthesia and disaster medicine. In the first article we reviewed basic concepts and definitions in the field of disaster medicine. In this second article I discuss the framework for mass casualty management in the USA. In addition, I present 10 essential elements for the prevention or mitigation of injury and death in disaster, and 10 criteria for disaster preparedness of health care organizations. Emergency medical services (EMS) response activities in disaster are presented as 16 basic emergency support functions upon which medical disaster plans should be standardized at the local, regional and state levels. In this framework the public is underutilized. The new Department of Homeland Security should undertake the task of mass educating the public in disaster preparedness and life supporting first aid (LSFA). In mass casualty situations it is nearly impossible to provide definitive medical treatment to all who will need it within the accepted golden hour of trauma. Nevertheless, a goal of EMS in major disasters should be to provide emergency care within a defined ‘critical’ time period. I discuss what this time period might be. The need to provide intensive care services should be a crucial determinant of the level of response. Anesthesiologists are well qualified to provide a variety of medical services in disaster that go beyond their traditional role in the operating room.
Editor's
Note
Ernesto Pretto, MD
Dear Colleagues
I would like to welcome you to another issue of Anesthesiology News. Since
the last issue there have been important changes to our Editorial Staff.
Unfortunately, we have lost the very capable services of Patty Boyle,
who was our production editor and upon who’s writing and interviewing
talents we heavily depended. Patty has been reassigned to other duties
in the department. We wish her well in her new position. Despite this
loss we are determined to continue to provide to members of our community
and other interested readers an informative, well-written and scholarly
Newsletter, on a bi-annual basis. I continue to benefit from the excellent
assistance of Mr. Brad Stezoski, Webmaster. No other changes in format
or content are planned for the near future.