Administration of anesthesia is an essential part of many dental procedures, giving patients a chance to undergo procedures with as little pain as possible. While anesthesia is generally safe when administered by dental professionals, one should always be sensitive to any possible risks during these procedures. A patient who has information concerning these risks can make an informed decision about their health care and thus take a proactive approach towards their well-being.
One of the major risks to an individual under anesthesia is the risk of reaction or allergy. In rare cases, people may be allergic to some anesthesia drugs, which can worsen the situation. In order to avert such a situation, it is important for patients to disclose to healthcare providers any known allergies or reactions to anesthesia before they receive it.
Another possible risk would be anesthesia awareness, an occurrence in which patients return to consciousness during surgery and are aware of their surroundings, but without the capability of speaking or moving. Although anesthesia awareness is very rare, it can be a truly traumatic experience for the patient and open communication to all anesthesia patients should take place before every procedure.
The administration of anesthesia is also associated with other risks, such as respiratory or cardiovascular problems. The latter could include heart conditions arising out of the procedure or harmful interactions between medications to be used and those being taken for some underlying health conditions. Proper pre-operative assessment and clear communication on both ends cannot be over-emphasized in reducing these risks.
The other possible risks are connected to the length of the anesthesia exposure. Prolonged exposure may give rise to postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), meaning a temporary decline in brain function after surgery. POCD is likely to affect old adults rather severely, thus indicating that personalized management of anesthesia ought to be based on their personal health profiles.
While some dangers associated with anesthesia are inherent, negligence in administering anesthesia can greatly multiply those risks. Dangers such as improper dosage, inadequate monitoring, or failure to consider a patient’s medical history often result in very serious complications. Patients suffering from adverse effects caused by negligence in anesthesia can seek redress through consultation with dental malpractice lawyers.
Anyone in San Diego who needs guidance in regard to anesthesia omission and representation in the court of law should seek services from a San Diego dental malpractice attorney, specifically those from the Dane Levy Law Firm. Dane Levy and his team of dental negligence injury attorneys have been commended for their dedication toward the validation of patient rights, especially for suffering victims of anesthesia-related complications.
