The goals of the perioperative rotation will be to provide an experience for our residents which will allow then to integrate their clinical experiences into safe, compassionate and effective plans for our surgical/interventional patients.  The rotation will encompass time spent in multiple venues, including the post anesthetic care unit (PACU) as well as the pre-anesthetic treatment unit (PAT).

Many clinical competencies will be covered while the residents are in the PACU. Objectives will include:

• Interpretation of various medical studies including EKG’s, CXR’s, ABG’s.
• Interpretation of Pulmonary Artery Catheter Readings/Tracings
• Placement/Removal of invasive monitors such as central and arterial lines.
• Reinforcement of both basic science and clinical knowledge.
• Acute management of perioperative respiratory distress.
• Abilities and an understanding of how and when to consult various specialty services within a hospital setting.

Time spent in the PAT will also allow residents to solidify their core clinical competencies.  Objective during this rotation will include:

• Understanding and assisting in the assessment and optimization of surgical/interventional patients.
• Formulate and assist in the execution of safe and effective anesthetic plans.
• Communicate and coordinate with various consultative services to improve the overall health care of the patient.

The perioperative rotation gives our residents many valuable and crucial experiences that an anesthesiologist must have in order to provide their patients with a safe, compassionate and effective care.  This rotation is a key to the future of our residents, because it allows them to witness how an anesthetic healthcare provider must integrate themselves into the various roles expected of the specialty in the future.