Ambulatory Anesthesia

When you are having a surgery or operation, you will likely be given anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable. The University of Kansas Health System has several locations where you may undergo outpatient (or ambulatory) procedures or surgeries. Our anesthesiologists provide high-quality care for people at these facilities. Their goal is to provide safe care in a comfortable environment so that you can get back to your normal life as quickly as possible.

Ambulatory anesthesia is given at a surgery facility prior to a surgery or procedure. These short-acting drugs are tailored to your unique needs and help ensure that you have a safe and pleasant experience. Your anesthesiologist will carefully evaluate your health and medical condition to determine if it's safe for you to have ambulatory anesthesia.

Unlike a traditional, large hospital, your first visit to the ambulatory facility is likely to be on the day of your procedure. For this reason, your preanesthesia assessment may be performed during a phone call. Dedicated preanesthesia nurses collect all necessary information regarding your procedure and medical history. Depending upon your medical history, your information may be reviewed by an anesthesiologist to ensure the safest and most pleasant experience. Your anesthetic will be tailored specifically for you, taking all of this information into account.

Because you will be going home shortly after your procedure, we strive to make your procedure as comfortable as possible. In addition to traditional oral pain medications, the physician anesthesiologist taking care of you may suggest a regional anesthetic or “nerve block” to manage your pain after surgery. Common regional analgesic techniques include:

• Axillary or infraclavicular block for hand or forearm surgery
• Femoral nerve block for knee surgery
• Interscalene nerve block for shoulder surgery
• Popliteal/sciatic nerve block for foot or ankle surgery
• TAPS block for abdominal surgery

These pain-relieving procedures will be discussed in detail when you meet your anesthesiologist on the day of surgery.

You can expect to receive a follow-up call regarding your surgery from a nurse at the facility where you had your procedure. Your surgeon will arrange for you to have an appointment at their clinic.