General considerations for regional anesthesia practice

Abstract

Setting up a regional anesthesia service requires a reliable and consistent product as well as a sound business plan. Technological advances in nerve stimulation, -ultrasound guidance, and perineural catheters have led to rapid growth in the number and types of peripheral nerve block procedures available to regional anesthesia practitioners. Starting a new regional anesthesia program potentially adds monetary value to a facility's perioperative services by improving the quality of postoperative analgesia and recovery from surgery, thereby reducing perioperative costs and offering a competitive advantage over other surgical facilities. From the patient's perspective, a regional anesthesia program provides nonmonetary value by preventing pain and reducing the risk of nausea and vomiting after surgery. Unfortunately for anesthesiologists interested in starting a new regional anesthesia program, there are no evidence-based guidelines to follow.