Atlanta Dentists Need to Take Precautions before Sedating Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
No Atlanta dental malpractice lawyer would doubt that modern sedation techniques are safer and more effective than before. Yet every year, there are far too many cases involving patients developing serious or even fatal complications after being administering anesthesia. According to a new article in Anesthesia Progress, the risks are especially great when patients have existing medical conditions.
Before performing a dental procedure on a person with a pre-existing medical condition, Atlanta dentists must evaluate the patient's eligibility for anesthesia. A dentist who is treating a patient suffering from cardiovascular disease, must have a complete review of the patient's medical history. This must be followed by a physical examination, including a recording of the blood pressure and heart rate.
After this, the dentist must make an informed decision about whether the patient is eligible for a procedure. The researchers advise dentists to refer the patient back to a physician, if they have any doubts about the patient's eligibility for the procedure, even if that means delaying the procedure. Once the anesthesia is administered, any significant changes in blood pressure readings must be monitored closely.
The position of the patient during the procedure is also important. The researchers recommend a sedated patient to be placed supine with legs elevated slightly. Continuous monitoring of vitals like blood pressure and heart rate, as well as the oxygen saturation of blood is important to ensure that the patient is in no danger at any point during the procedure.
Robert J. Fleming is an Atlanta dental malpractice lawyer, helping victims of negligence by dentists, dental assistants and other professionals, recover compensation for their injuries.
