Driven by changing market dynamics and a growing provider shortage, the field of anesthesia has sustained significant upheaval in recent years. These shifts, characterized in part by large, consolidated anesthesia firms replacing local groups in hospital systems, represent an unprecedented departure from traditional anesthesia field practices, with significant implications for anesthesia providers and their patients.

One of the major underlying causes of these shifts in the landscape of anesthesia groups — the national anesthesia provider shortage — is not new. In the early 2000s, the demand for anesthesia providers began to outgrow the supply (1). The aging American population that required more procedures and the expansion of hospital surgical staff across the country put pressure on the medical field, which responded by increasing residency positions by 12% and increasing medical school class sizes (1, 2). Despite these efforts, demand has continued to outpace supply, with over half of anesthesiologists over the age of 55, signaling an impending exodus of retirees that will exceed the influx of younger anesthesiologists (1). While the number of physicians in other specialties have grown an estimated average of 7% between 2016 and 2021, anesthesiologists have increased by only 1%, leading to an expected shortage of 12,500 in 2033 (3). This shortage has resulted in increased wait times for routine and urgent procedures, financial impact on hospital systems and anesthesia firms, and provider dissatisfaction (4).

In the wake of this shortage and its negative impacts on hospital systems, a new form of anesthesia firm management has emerged, represented by the wave of consolidation (5). This new form — large, consolidated anesthesia groups purchased, assembled, and directed by national for-profit healthcare organizations or private equity firms — has rapidly grown from roughly 3% of all anesthesia firms in 2009 to nearly 19% in 2019 (6). This percentage has increased due to large companies’ and private equity firms’ interest in highly specialized, relatively expensive medical specialties — including anesthesia groups, dental offices, and ophthalmology clinics — due to their high profit margins (7). Historically, hospital systems have staffed anesthesia services by contracting with local firms, but these new, large, consolidated firms appear attractive to hospitals, with promises of adequate staffing and decreased cost (7). In fact, between 2023 and 2024, more than 10 large hospital systems across the country severed ties with local firms and entered contracts with consolidated groups, representing an unprecedented shift in the anesthesia industry (8).

Unfortunately, some of these groups have been unprepared, resulting in worsened shortages, exorbitant surgery wait times, and criticism (9, 10). For example, in 2023, a hospital system in Oregon suddenly terminated its agreement with a local group and began contracting with a consolidated group backed by a private equity firm (10). Despite appearing more efficient, the new firm had cut necessary costs and jobs, resulting in a massive anesthesiologist shortage and a significant delay in surgeries (10).

Despite hospitals’ increasing preferences for ostensibly lower-cost, better-staffed consolidated anesthesia groups, shifts toward this model has been met with scrutiny from anesthesia providers, their communities, and the federal government. For example, in Texas, two private equity firms allegedly colluded to consolidate anesthesia firms across the state to create a monopoly, eliminate local groups, and hike up prices for hospitals and patients, resulting in the Federal Trade Commission filing lawsuits against the firms in 2023 (11). This lawsuit represents many anesthesia providers’ sentiments about the wave of consolidation, with many critics arguing that this shift from local physician-managed firms to national corporation-managed groups results in higher costs for patients, lower-quality care, job losses, and the pursuit of profits at the expense of patients and their providers (7, 12). The future of the industry remains unclear as many hospital systems evaluate the performance of their contracted anesthesia groups.

References

1: Menezes, J. and Zahalka, C. 2024. Anesthesiologist shortage in the United States: a call for action. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, vol. 2. DOI: 10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100048;

2: American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). 2024. “Physician specialty data report.” AAMC Data and Reports. URL: 2016-2021https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/percentage-change-first-year-acgme-residents-fellows-specialty-2016-2021.

3: Kaplan, K. and Polanco, K. 2023. “Where have all the anesthesia specialists gone? Insights for healthcare leaders.” Veralon Healthcare Management Advisors. URL: https://www.veralon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Veralon-Blog-Where-Have-All-the-Anesthesia-Specialists-Gone-Insights-for-Healthcare-Leaders-Oct2023.pdf.

4: Peters, J. 2022. The physician leader’s role in navigating the anesthesia provider shortage. American Association for Physician Leadership, vol. 9. DOI: 10.55834/plj.9178639149.

5: Paone, J. 2022. “Trend to watch: inside the consolidation of anesthesia services.” Outpatient Surgery Magazine. URL: https://www.aorn.org/outpatient-surgery/article/2022-February-anesthesia-services.

6: Adler, L., Milhaupt, C. and Valdez, S. 2023. Measuring private equity penetration and consolidation in emergency medicine and anesthesiology. Health Affairs Scholar, vol. 1. DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxad008.

7: Kotsonis, S. and Chakrabarti, M. 2023. “How private equity is changing American health care.” WBUR. URL: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/11/07/how-private-equity-is-changing-american-health-care.

8: Hollowell, A. 2024. “Why US hospitals are breaking up with anesthesiology groups.” Becker’s Hospital Review. URL: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/care-coordination/why-us-hospitals-are-breaking-up-with-anesthesiology-groups.html.

9: Coleman, A. 2024. “Methodist delays surgeries after breakup with anesthesia provider.” WREG. URL: https://wreg.com/news/local/methodist-delays-surgeries-after-breakup-with-anesthesia-provider/.

10: Newitt, P. 2024. “Oregon hospitals’ surgeries plummet amid anesthesiologist shortages.” Becker’s ASC Review. URL: https://www.beckersasc.com/anesthesia/oregon-hospitals-surgeries-plummet-amid-anesthesiologist-shortages.html#:~:text=Surgeries%20at%20two%20Providence%20hospitals,equity%2Dbacked%20physician%20staffing%20firm.

11: Federal Trade Commission. 2023. “FTC challenges private equity firm’s scheme to suppress competition in anesthesiology practices across Texas.” FTC press release. URL: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-challenges-private-equity-firms-scheme-suppress-competition-anesthesiology-practices-across.

12: Answine, J. 2023. “War games: private anesthesia group versus hospital system versus private equity firm.” OR Management News. URL: https://www.ormanagement.net/Opinion/Article/09-23/War-Games-Private-Anesthesia-Group-Versus-Hospital-System-Versus-Private-Equity-Firm/72302.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is a preferred surgical method due to its minimally invasive nature and associated rapid recovery. However, this procedure poses unique challenges, primarily due to the risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Understanding the causes and effective management of these fluctuations during surgery is crucial for improving patient outcomes and ensuring the safety of the procedure. 

Understanding Pheochromocytoma 

Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes excess catecholamines—hormones that significantly influence heart rate and blood pressure. The primary challenge in managing a patient with pheochromocytoma arises from these extreme and unpredictable changes in catecholamine levels, which can lead to severe hemodynamic instability during surgical manipulation of the tumor. 

Hemodynamic Instability during Surgery 

The main concern during a laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is the risk of sudden intraoperative blood pressure spikes and drops. These hemodynamic changes are predominantly triggered by the surgical manipulation of the tumor, causing a massive release of catecholamines into the bloodstream. Additionally, the insufflation of the abdomen with carbon dioxide to facilitate a better surgical view can exacerbate cardiovascular effects by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, which affects venous return and cardiac output. 

Preoperative Preparation 

Effective management of intraoperative hemodynamic instability begins well before the surgery. Preoperative preparation includes thorough cardiovascular evaluation and stabilization. Patients are often prescribed alpha-adrenergic blockers for at least 10 to 14 days before the surgery to control hypertension and normalize blood volume. Beta-blockers may also be added, but only after adequate alpha-blockade is achieved to prevent unopposed alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation, which can lead to a hypertensive crisis. 

Intraoperative Monitoring 

Advanced hemodynamic monitoring is crucial during the surgery. Standard monitoring includes continuous electrocardiography (ECG), direct arterial blood pressure monitoring, and central venous pressure assessment. These measures allow for the immediate detection of hemodynamic changes and facilitate swift interventions. In some cases, additional monitoring techniques such as transesophageal echocardiography can be employed to provide real-time information on cardiac function and volume status. 

Anesthetic Management 

The choice of anesthesia is critical in managing patients with pheochromocytoma. Anesthetic agents that minimize catecholamine release or have minimal effects on cardiovascular stability are preferred. Volatile anesthetic agents, which can stabilize the myocardium against catecholamine-induced dysrhythmias, are often used. Effective pain management intraoperatively and postoperatively is also crucial to prevent pain-related catecholamine surges. 

Pharmacological Interventions 

Rapid-acting vasodilators and vasopressors are essential components of the pharmacological arsenal needed to manage blood pressure fluctuations during the operation. Sodium nitroprusside is commonly used due to its quick onset and easy titration properties, which helps manage hypertensive episodes. For hypotensive phases, agents like phenylephrine or norepinephrine are employed to maintain adequate perfusion pressure. 

Surgical Technique 

The surgical technique also plays a significant role in managing hemodynamic instability. Minimizing tumor manipulation and using precise and controlled movements can reduce the risk of excessive catecholamine release. The laparoscopic approach itself, with smaller incisions and reduced tissue disruption, helps reduce the overall surgical stress on the patient compared to open procedures. 

Postoperative Care 

Postoperatively, patients need close monitoring as the abrupt cessation of catecholamine secretion post-tumor removal can lead to severe hypotension. Intensive care settings are ideal for postoperative management, where continuous monitoring and timely pharmacological support can be provided until the patient’s condition stabilizes. 

Conclusion 

Managing intraoperative hemodynamic instability during laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma involves a multifaceted approach encompassing preoperative preparation, sophisticated intraoperative monitoring, careful anesthetic management, meticulous surgical techniques, and vigilant postoperative care. By understanding the complexities of pheochromocytoma and employing comprehensive management strategies, healthcare providers can significantly enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes. This proactive approach ensures that the benefits of minimally invasive surgery can be safely extended to patients undergoing this high-risk procedure. 

Compartment syndrome is an emergency that can occur during surgery when pressure builds up in an enclosed space of tissue, eventually cutting off blood flow to that area and leading to tissue necrosis. This increased intracompartmental pressure must be reduced quickly through surgical intervention, also known as fasciotomy.

Compartment syndrome most commonly occurs in the anterior compartment of the leg and the limbs in general, but it can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen. It most often arises after trauma and resulting bone fractures but may also be caused by soft tissue injury, burns, crush injury, overdoses, infection, bleeding disorders, and more. Compartment syndrome can also occur during surgery due to a variety of etiologies (Torlincasi et al., 2023).

Some procedure-related factors that can increase risk of compartment syndrome include duration of surgery, type of surgery, type of anesthesia, and patient positioning. For example, prolonged surgeries can lead to increased external pressure and immobility for patients (Halvachizadeh et al., 2019). Some anesthetic agents can cause hypotension and decreased perfusion pressures. Long-acting regional anesthesia may mask the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome (Garner et al., 2014). Surgical techniques that require use of tourniquets or increased fluid administration may also increase compartment syndrome risk (Halvachizdeh et al., 2019). Excessive fluid administration can lead to tissue edema and increased intracompartmental pressures.

There are patient risk factors that can also increase the likelihood of compartment syndrome during surgery. For example, patients with conditions such as coagulopathies, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease may have impaired microcirculation (Papachristos & Giannoudis, 2019). The entire surgical team must pay careful attention to any patient specific conditions that can make them more prone to developing compartment syndrome.

Early diagnosis and treatment of compartment syndrome can prevent irreversible damage to the patient. Preoperative assessment should identify patients at higher risk of compartment syndrome and facilitate planning to mitigate these risk factors. Intraoperative measures include careful patient positioning to avoid prolonged pressure on extremities and limited use of tourniquets (Halvachizdeh et al., 2017). The surgical team should also avoid excessive fluid administration and use careful dissection techniques to minimize tissue trauma. Postoperative monitoring is essential to regularly assess the limb compartments. Some symptoms include severe pain, skin changes, decreased pulses, decreased two-point discrimination, and affected motor function. Measuring intracompartmental pressures of the affected body part can also help diagnose compartment syndrome, and an intracompartmental pressure greater than 30 mmHg will require prompt intervention (Torlincask et al., 2023).

Ultimately, compartment syndrome is a very serious condition that requires high levels of suspicion in patients and procedures with increased risk factors, early detection in the perioperative setting, and rapid treatment. While compartment syndrome is primarily associated with trauma and certain types of injuries, it is important to recognize that it can occur in the surgical environment as well. Ongoing education is essential to ensuring optimal patient safety and health outcomes.

References

Garner MR, Taylor SA, Gausden E, Lyden JP. Compartment syndrome: diagnosis, management, and unique concerns in the twenty-first century. HSS J. 2014;10(2):143-152. doi:10.1007/s11420-014-9386-8

Halvachizadeh S, Jensen KO, Pape HC. Compartment Syndrome Due to Patient Positioning. 2019 Sep 3. In: Mauffrey C, Hak DJ, Martin III MP, editors. Compartment Syndrome: A Guide to Diagnosis and Management [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2019. Chapter 12. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553906/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-22331-1_12

Papachristos IV, Giannoudis PV. Unusual Presentation of Compartment Syndrome. 2019 Sep 3. In: Mauffrey C, Hak DJ, Martin III MP, editors. Compartment Syndrome: A Guide to Diagnosis and Management [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2019. Chapter 15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553896/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-22331-1_15

Torlincasi AM, Lopez RA, Waseem M. Acute Compartment Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Jan 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448124/

In the complex and high-stakes environment of medical operations, the safety and efficacy of anesthesia play a pivotal role in patient outcomes. Anesthesia Incident Reporting Systems (AIRS) are crucial in fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement in anesthesia practice. These systems provide a framework for healthcare professionals to report and analyze any anesthesia-related incidents or near misses, allowing for systematic improvements in patient care. 

Understanding Anesthesia Incident Reporting Systems 

Anesthesia Incident Reporting Systems are specialized programs designed to collect, manage, and analyze data regarding adverse events or potential risks associated with anesthesia administration. They are part of a broader approach to medical quality assurance, focusing specifically on the unique challenges and risks found in anesthetic practice. By gathering detailed reports on incidents from a wide range of healthcare settings, AIRS help identify patterns or systemic issues that might not be evident from isolated cases. 

The Importance of Reporting in Anesthesia 

The primary goal of AIRS is to enhance patient safety. The anesthesia domain is particularly suited to this kind of analysis because even minor errors can lead to significant patient harm. Reporting incidents provides invaluable insights that can drive policy changes, inform training programs, and influence the development of new guidelines or procedures to prevent recurrence of similar events. 

AIRS operate under the principle that most medical errors are the result of underlying systemic issues rather than individual negligence. This approach encourages healthcare providers to participate without fear of retribution. Anonymity and confidentiality are key features of effective AIRS, ensuring that medical staff feel secure in reporting incidents. This openness leads to a more comprehensive dataset, making the system more effective at identifying and addressing potential improvements. 

Components of Effective Anesthesia Incident Reporting Systems 

Effective AIRS include several key components: ease of use, confidentiality, analytical capability, and feedback mechanisms. The system must be easily accessible and user-friendly to encourage regular use by healthcare providers. Confidentiality is essential to protect both patients and staff, encouraging reporting and ensuring that the focus remains on learning and improvement. 

The analytical capabilities of AIRS are crucial. Advanced data analysis tools can sift through large volumes of data to identify trends, correlations, and potential causes of incidents. This analysis is the backbone of the learning that AIRS provides, guiding the development of interventions that prevent future incidents. 

Finally, feedback mechanisms are vital. When healthcare providers see that their input leads to real changes, they are more likely to engage with the system consistently. Feedback reinforces the system’s value, encouraging ongoing participation and promoting a culture of safety. 

Challenges and Future Directions 

Despite their benefits, AIRS face several challenges. One major challenge is ensuring comprehensive participation across all levels of anesthesia care. In some settings, particularly where resources are limited, the implementation of sophisticated reporting systems can be financially and logistically difficult. 

Moreover, there is the challenge of integrating AIRS data with other medical reporting systems. As healthcare becomes increasingly digitized, interoperability between different data systems becomes essential. Effective integration can enhance the depth and utility of the insights gained from AIRS, leading to broader improvements in patient safety. 

The future of AIRS likely involves enhanced digital integration, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data more effectively and predict potential incidents before they occur. These technologies can transform data into actionable insights, providing real-time support to anesthetists and potentially revolutionizing anesthesia safety practices. 

Conclusion 

Anesthesia Incident Reporting Systems are vital tools to improve anesthesia safety and patient care. By providing a structured way to report, analyze, and learn from anesthesia-related incidents, AIRS contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors that lead to errors and the strategies that can prevent them. As these systems continue to evolve, their integration with broader healthcare technologies and practices promises even greater advances in patient safety and care quality. With the commitment of healthcare providers and institutions to this reporting and learning culture, the future of anesthesia safety looks robust and promising. 

Antithrombotic drugs, such as antiplatelet agents (APA) and anticoagulant therapies, are commonly prescribed for patients with cardiovascular disorders to prevent thrombosis, or blood clots. However, patients on antithrombotic medications are at increased risk of excessive blood loss during and after surgery with regional anesthesia.^1,2

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cellular components in blood whose function is the formation of blood clots to stop bleeding after injury. Internal signaling pathways in an activated platelet signal the release of molecules such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adrenaline, serotonin, thrombin, and thromboxane A2. Platelet glycoproteins then bind to fibrinogen, resulting in platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.¹ Acetylsalicylic acid, a commonly prescribed APA, inhibits thromboxane A2 production for the entire lifetime of a singular platelet (7–10 days). Ticagrelor is an APA that blocks critical G-protein activation and associated signaling pathways, while dipyridamole blocks the uptake of adenosine.¹ On the other hand, anticoagulant therapy prevents clot formation by disrupting the coagulation cascade. Most anticoagulants will either prevent the formation of coagulation factors such as factor IIa or inhibit the production of fibrin.^1,3

In late 2021, experts from the European Society of Anaethesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and the European Society of Regional Anesthesia (ESRA) convened to discuss the extant literature on the prevention of excessive blood loss following regional anesthesia in patients on antithrombotic drugs.² After careful analysis, the committee recommended waiting at least 24 hours between the last intake of anticoagulant therapy and anesthesia administration. For antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, ticagrelor, clopidogrel, and prasugrel, the recommendation is a pre-operative waiting period of 3-7 days. ^2,4 Additionally, when combinations of antithrombotic drugs are used, the therapy-free time before anesthesia should be equivalent to that of the drug with the longest waiting period. Risk factors to consider include specific bleeding risks such as inherited bleeding disorders, acquired bleeding disorders, a history of significant bleeding, renal failure, hepatic failure, advanced age, female sex, and extreme body weight. An individual risk-benefit analysis must always be made, ideally in conjunction with the patient. Experts also found several reviews which suggest delaying the next antithrombotic drug dose for at least 48 to 72 hours after surgical intervention to prevent postoperative bleeding complications. Although the general recommendation is withdrawal of antithrombotic therapy some time before and after anesthetic administration, in situations where the risk of thromboembolism or ischemia is high, the anesthesiologist may decide to proceed without withdrawal.²

Healthcare teams must maintain their vigilance in the perioperative period to detect and manage excessive bleeding when the patient is undergoing anesthesia. During and after surgery, the team should look for persistent pain at the site of anesthesia, a drop in hemoglobin level, morphological skin changes, cardiovascular instabilities, or any neurologic deficits, as any of these symptoms should raise suspicion of a hemorrhagic complication due to regional anesthesia.²

In the future, more clinical trials may provide clearer and more standardized recommendations on the use of regional anesthesia in patients on antithrombotic therapy.

References

1. Mega, Jessica L., and Tabassome Simon. “Pharmacology of Antithrombotic Drugs: An Assessment of Oral Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Treatments.” The Lancet, vol. 386, no. 9990, July 2015, pp. 281–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60243-4

1. Kietaibl, Sibylle, et al. “Regional Anaesthesia in Patients on Antithrombotic Drugs: Joint ESAIC/ESRA Guidelines.” European Journal of Anaesthesiology, vol. 39, no. 2, Feb. 2022, pp. 100–32. https://doi.org/10.1097/EJA.0000000000001600
2. Jiang, L., et al. “A Critical Role of Thrombin/PAR-1 in ADP-Induced Platelet Secretion and the Second Wave of Aggregation.” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, vol. 11, no. 5, May 2013, pp. 930–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12168
3. Douketis, James D., et al. “Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th Ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines.” Chest, vol. 141, no. 2, Supplement, Feb. 2012, pp. e326S-e350S. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.11-2298