Anesthesia Procedures

When your child needs a test or treatment that requires anesthesia medication for comfort, we’re here to put your child—and you—at ease. We partner with you and your child to anticipate your child’s personal level of sensitivity with the goal of preventing pain, and to continuously listen to and observe your child for any indications of changes in comfort so that they can be addressed immediately. Our approach involves communicating with and supporting you and your family starting long before an anesthesia procedure begins, and continuing afterward to ensure the best experience possible.

Pre-operative visit

Supporting you and your child begins with understanding your unique needs and preferences, and your child’s personal need for pain relief before, during and after the procedure. For each child, we schedule a pre-operative visit at which we discuss details of the procedure with you and your child, and create a personalized plan of care. We’ll answer any questions that you or your child may have, and hear from you and your family about any special circumstances you may need us to support or understand.

Some questions you may want to ask at this visit include:

• How much pain is expected?
• What are the options for comfort before, during and after the procedure?
• If there is pain, how long will it last?
• What can I do to help my child prepare for this procedure?
• What can I do to help my child recover from this procedure?

Your child’s comfort

Although discomfort may be expected after certain tests or treatments, our goal is to carefully ensure your child’s comfort while also ensuring their safety. There may be times when mild discomfort is safer for your child than over-sedation; in these cases, we work to provide alternate approaches such as physical or occupational therapy, child life/recreation therapy, or complementary therapies like massage.

EMMI - online education program

As a parent, you are a vital member of your child’s health care team. Our physicians and staff want you and your child to have the best and safest experience possible.

Even if you or your child has had a medical or surgical procedure before, we encourage you to view some important information using an online education program called Emmi® to prepare you for your child’s upcoming procedure or your own labor and delivery. This program takes about 20 minutes and will help you understand your anesthesia choices and let you know what to expect the day of your procedure.

You can view the Emmi program as many times as you like.

When you are ready, visit the Emmi website to get started.