There are three types of anaesthesia and an anaesthetist will decide which type to use depending on the procedure and condition of the patient.
These include:
General Anaesthetic
This is administered into a patient’s circulatory system through a combination of injected drugs and inhaled gas. GA affects the brain and the central nervous system to render the patient unconscious.
Local Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic is administered to temporarily reduce or prevent pain during a treatment or procedure in a specific region of the body. The patient remains conscious during the procedure.
Regional Anaesthetic
If a larger area of the body is needed to be numbed or a local anaesthetic injection is unable to be used to penetrate into a site, a regional anaesthetic is administered around the major nerves and spinal cord.
General anaesthetic carries the highest risk of injury or serious consequences to a patient and local anaesthetic carries the lowest risk.
Negligent administration of an anaesthetic and mistakes made by a nurse, GP, anaesthetist could result in damage to nerves, tissues, and heart, brain and lung function.
If you or a loved one experienced anaesthetic negligence, you could be entitled to make a medical negligence compensation claim.
