American Society of Anesthesiologists: Safety First

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) supports a range of activities, from a patient website to a governmental affairs office in Washington, D.C. All of its efforts have a single focus: improving patient safety. For the ASA's 43,000 members, safety is the primary concern.

By Laura French, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: August 21, 2009 - 11:50 AM

To understand the important work of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), consider these statistics from the ASA website: Fifty years ago, perioperative deaths attributed to anesthesia were approximately one in 1,500. Today, when an anesthesiologist is involved in patient care, the chance of a healthy patient dying due to anesthesia is less than one in 200,000.

The ASA engages in a variety of activities, from education to government affairs. These varied efforts all have a single focus: Improving patient safety.

Varied Efforts, Single Focus
Among the ASA's efforts to improve the care of anesthetized patients:

In the late 1970s, the ASA did a massive study of the causes of adverse outcomes of anesthesia. By understanding and providing education on what caused problems and ways to avoid them, ASA helped to lower the mortality rate significantly.
In 1985, ASA created the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation to raise awareness and knowledge of patient safety issues.
In 1986, ASA became the first medical association to adopt standards of care for its members. To date, it has adopted more than 30 standards, guidelines and statements regarding care of patients before, during and after surgery.
In June 2009, ASA launched a new, patient-focused website that provides frequently asked questions, instructional videos and success stories. Education for patients allows them to better manage their healthcare decision. (Visit its website at www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com.)

The ASA connects researchers with sources of funding. It provides information anesthesiologists need to manage their medical practices, such as alerts concerning Medicare scams, guidelines on new regulations that affect the specialty, and information and education on coding and billing standards.

Healthcare Reform To Pain Management
The ASA's Office of Governmental and Legal Affairs monitors legislation and regulations that can impact the profession. While healthcare reform is currently the center of attention, the ASA recently urged members to support the National Pain Care Policy Act, which would provide education and training in pain management for healthcare professionals. The ASA is also concerned with maintaining clear distinctions in scope of practice between anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.

A clear sign of the importance of the ASA to its members is this: Membership is more than 43,000 strong, comprising more than 90 percent of all practicing anesthesiologists in the United States. According to an ASA spokesperson, the association's many offices and committees have "more than just a core group of members participating. There is a variety of participation based on preferences and interests." Current officers include First Vice President Dr. Mark Warner from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

For more information on the ASA, visit its website: www.asahq.org.

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