Increasingly, anesthesiologists have been using ultrasound guidance to help visualize soft tissue anatomy and nerve location while performing regional nerve blocks. Correct placement of local anesthetics lead to long lasting pain management and enhanced

Increasingly, anesthesiologists have been using ultrasound guidance to help visualize soft tissue anatomy and nerve location while performing regional nerve blocks. Correct placement of local anesthetics lead to long lasting pain management and enhanced recovery times.

But beyond the block, how does ultrasound help anesthesiologists do their jobs?

The answer has a lot to do with the changing practice of medicine.

In the United States, anesthesiologists are increasingly expected to perform a wider role in care of patients—that is, care before, during, and after surgery—a specialty known as perioperative medicine. As hospitals strive to streamline patient care, anesthesiologists are stepping up to do even more than ever. And ultrasound can play a crucial role in that care.

From diagnosing critical complications in the pre-surgical setting, to providing multi-modal pain management in the post-operative patient, ultrasound use is one of the most important skills to gain when going from anesthesiologist to perioperativist.

 

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