Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Duties of the on call anaesthetistsThe principal responsibility held by the emergency team is to clearthe emergency cases during the 08:00-20:00 period. Night timecases should only be those essential to be conducted at that time, forexample, life and limb saving, acute paediatrics etc.If at any time further assistance is needed, immediately contact thegeneral consultant anaesthetist on call.Preparation for morning emergenciesIt is not appropriate for the day team to arrive and then have to spendtime reviewing stable patients who have been in hospital for sometime. The night resident team is expected to prepare the first patientsfor the morning general emergency lists and hand over a summary tothe incoming resident team.Consultants on callCardiothoracic anaesthesiaThis consultant will receive calls for urgent cardiac bypassprocedures directly from the surgical staff, usually in patients withunstable or critical angina. You should call the consultant in the caseof difficult problems with patients in the cardiothoracic unit and itsspecialist areas, when a patient is re-opened for postoperativebleeding, and for any case going on to cardiopulmonary bypass.Intensive care medicineSee page 56 for ‘Integration with the critical care unit’. The consultantintensivist leads an intensive care team with which anaesthetistswork closely. This consultant will receive referrals for newpreanaesthetic and postanaesthetic admissions to the ICU.General on callDuring normal weekdays the general consultant on call is freed fromother commitments and is based at the University Hospital dedicatedto emergencies, and supervision of trainees not otherwise directlysupervised.Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010 39