ASA, Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists launch public education campaign

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA) today launched a public education campaign to help put the minds of Iowa residents at ease about surgical procedures and the associated risks of anesthesia.

Iowa suffers from some of the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes in the country. These illnesses carry greater risks during surgery. Iowa anesthesiologists, who combine four years of medical school and an additional four to five years of advanced training as anesthesiology residents, are specifically trained to ensure at risk patients receive the highest degree of safety during anesthesia.

The campaign is designed to educate patients not only about anesthesia, but how to mitigate the risks that accompany surgery and increase awareness about patient safety. Central to the campaign is raising awareness among all Iowans about the unbreakable link between the quality of care patients receive and their overall health.

"All patients in Iowa have a right to access the safest care in the state, especially when it comes to the administration of anesthesia," said ISA President Sherif H. Tewfik, M.D. "Anesthesia is a complicated medical procedure. That is why anesthesiologists manage vital signs throughout the entire surgical experience and are prepared at any moment to make split-second decisions to ensure patient safety."

ASA and ISA believe the campaign will be one step toward achieving the goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.