Anesthesia for remote sites: General considerations

Abstract

Summary The administration of anesthesia in remote sites has important implications for the patient and the anesthesiologist. Remote site procedures are now commonly undertaken, especially in this period of office-based anesthesia. The role of the anesthesiologist will be to ensure safe and appropriate anesthesia and to treat acute complications that may result from the procedure. Numerous difficulties will continue to exist in these areas unless the use of anesthesia becomes a routine event. The anesthesiologist has to know the patient's clinical problems intimately and be familiar with the environment, the type of procedure, and the special anesthetic requirements. The challenges of working in the remote site can be easily met with careful planning and adherence to all the principles of safe anesthesia.