Coming soon...
a bibliography of resources for patients/readers who are interested in learning more about anesthesia than just "getting knocked out."

Anesthesia Providers

Anesthesiologists (M.D. & D.O.)

Anesthetists (C.R.N.A.)

Dental Anesthesia Providers (D.D.S. and D.M.D.)

Other Anesthesia-related Organizations

  • WHOOPS!!! This one's not for humans, but in case you stumbled across this page looking for information about your pet's care: American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA)

    Reading Material -- Books

    Sweeny, Frank, M.D. Anesthesia Fact Book: Everything You Need to Know Before Surgery. Perseus Books, 2003.

    Ernst, Frederick W., and William G. Pace III. Now They Me Down To Sleep s.p., 1996.

    Hill, A. J. The Patient's Guide to Anesthesia: Making the Right Choices. Kensington, 1999.

    Brown, Robert C. Perchance to Dream: the Patient's Guide to Anesthesia. Burnham, 1981.

    Surgery Fact Book

    Reading Material -- Websites


    Information for Patients
  • Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine on the Internet

  • Detailed/Scientific and Paraprofessional Links
  • Anesthesia Nursing and Medicine Page Mainly for nurse anesthetists, written by a nurse anesthetist.
  • The Laryngospasms: Essential Anesthesia Links and Medical Humour
  • MedNets: Anesthesia
  • Virtual Anesthesia Textbook Don't try this at home!

    What You Need to Know and some Personal Experiences

  • IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES or ABNORMAL REACTIONS TO MEDICATION, tell every person who takes care of you, from the admitting clerk to the last doctor you see in the pre-anesthesia area or operating room. DO NOT assume that these people know you, have read your chart, or remember your particular situation. It's better to tell someone who doesn't need to know than to not remind someone who does. For example...
  • IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY PRIOR REACTIONS TO ANESTHESIA, even merely uncomfortable situations, tell your doctor. For example...
  • YOU HAVE A RIGHT to speak with your anesthesia provider before your surgery.
  • IF THEY SAY DON'T EAT BEFORE SURGERY, DON'T EAT. 1