Anaesthetic Bill:

1. As independent medical specialists the services we render attracts a fee that will be billed completely separately from the hospital or your surgeon.
2. The cost is determined by the length and nature of the case, and it may vary due to unexpected circumstances or complications that cannot be accurately predicted.
3. it is important to note that your medical aid coverage may not encompass the entire amount contingent on the medical aid plan you've selected.
4. The billing policy of this practice aligns with the Discovery Classic Contract (217%).
5. When the medical aid reimburses the professional fee to you (eg LA Health, Momentum, Retail), you must promptly transfer the fees to the service provider.
6. It remains your or the elected account holder’s responsibility to ensure timely settlement of this account. Failure to settle accounts timeously will lead to additional debt recovery and legal costs, including interest at 15.5% per annum.
7. You may contact us for a quotation if you are unsure about a co-payment or discuss this with your anaesthesiologist.
8. We may offer discount for prompt settlement of accounts.

Before your anaesthetic

Your anaesthetist will consult with you before the procedure. Please provide information on any medical conditions and allergies. Bring your chronic medication (including homeopathic remedies or supplements) in their original packaging or with the latest prescription. The anaesthetist will advise you on which medication you should continue with.

For your safety, you must refrain from consuming anything before receiving anaesthesia. This is to prevent the inhalation of stomach content during the procedure, which can pose a life-threatening risk.

Here is a guide to what is allowed before your surgery:

• 8 hours - large fatty meals
• 6 hours - normal meals, dairy, and carbonated drinks
• 4 hours - breastmilk (only if exclusively breastfed)
• 2 hours - clear fluids (water, apple juice, black coffee or tea, non-carbonated energy drinks)

The Anaesthetic

The type of anaesthesia chosen is determined by factors such as the nature of the surgery, your overall health, and personal preference

Monitoring equipment includes ECG stickers, a blood pressure cuff and an oxygen saturation probe. Sometimes a urinary catheter or specialized drips on your wrist or nick is inserted.

Sedation:You remain awake but in a relaxed or lightly sedated state. This is typically utilized for brief procedures that may be uncomfortable or in combination with regional anaesthesia.

Regional anaesthesia:This involves numbing a specific area of your body so that surgery can be performed without pain while the patient is awake. This includes spinal, epidural, and limb blocks.

General anaesthesia:You are unconscious during this form of anaesthesia. While the surgeon concentrates on the procedure, the anaesthetist diligently monitors and regulates all bodily functions to ensure you remain asleep and comfortable. Once the procedure is finished, the anaesthetist will wake you and transfer you to the recovery room for further monitoring and care.

After your anaesthetic

If you are being discharged on the same day as surgery itis important to have someone present to drive you home, assist you, and bring you back to the hospital if needed.

Alert a doctor promptly if you encounter symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, changes in sensation, muscle weakness, severe back pain, shivering, alterations in voice, or intense nausea and vomiting.

Risks of anaesthesia

The anaesthetist is present during the procedure to manage and address potential adverse reactions or complications. While every effort is made to minimize risks associated with anesthesia through vigilant monitoring and best practices, it is important to accept that complications can still occur despite these precautions.

While we cover the more frequent and significant complications here, for a comprehensive list with specific statistics regarding complications, please request this information.

General risks:

Complications at injection sites may include bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and scarring.

An injection in the neck, shoulder, or chest area can potentially puncture the lung, resulting in the accumulation of air outside the lung (pneumothorax), which may cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Management typically involves placing a tube between the ribs into the chest to release the trapped air.

Nerve injuries from positioning on the operating table may lead to altered sensation, partial paralysis, or vision changes.

Potential reactions to medications (sensitivities or side effects) may manifest as nausea, vomiting, itching, or rashes. In severe cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur, resulting in symptoms like asthma, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest.

In some cases, the administration of blood or blood products may be required. Complications include incompatibility reactions, or infections.

The formation of blood clots may result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, and chest pain and pose a potentially life threatening risk.

Risks of general anaesthesia:

Nausea and vomiting.

Eye damage including make-up and artificial eyelashes.

Intubation of the airway for respiratory support can potentially damage the lips or teeth or cause a sore throat and hoarseness.

Malignant hyperthermia is a rare inherited disease that is triggered by anaesthetic agents, requiring immediate emergency intervention.

Awareness under anaesthesia may occur.

Risks of regional anaesthesia:

Regional anaesthesia may sometimes be ineffective,leading to pain.

For spinal or epidural anaesthesia, there can be side effects such as muscle weakness and difficulty urinating. Sometimes the weakness may extend to the arms and respiratory muscles, necessitating breathing assistance.

A decrease in blood pressure is a common occurrence with spinal or epidural anaesthesia, but it can be effectively treated.

A severe headache is a recognized complication following spinal and epidural anaesthesia. Additionally, backache may develop after undergoing spinal or epidural procedures.

Upper limb blocks can inadvertently affect other nerves, potentially leading to symptoms like hoarseness, drooping eyelids, or breathing difficulties. These effects typically dissipate as the block wears off.

Regional anaesthesia carries the rare risk of direct injury, bleeding, inflammation, or infection of the spinal cord or nerves, which could result in loss of sensation or paralysis in a specific body part, as well as issues like incontinence, impotence and in severe cases, quadriplegia.