Anesteesiaõed

Anesteesiaõed are registered nurses who specialize in anesthesia and perioperative care. They work as part of the anesthesia team in hospitals and surgical centers, providing care before, during, and after anesthesia. The role is integral to patient safety in the perioperative period.

Core responsibilities include preoperative assessment of patients, preparation of anesthesia equipment and medications, and establishing and maintaining airway access when needed. They assist with intravenous access and the administration of anesthetic agents and adjunct medications within approved protocols, while continuously monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, ventilation, and temperature. Anesteesiaõed perform procedures and respond to changes in patient status under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, and they help manage fluids and other intraoperative needs.

During surgery, they monitor the patient, adjust analgesia and sedation according to protocol, and assist with emergency responses. They also document intraoperative events, ensure equipment safety, and support communication among the surgical team. In the postoperative period, anesteesiaõed may care for patients in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), monitoring recovery from anesthesia, managing pain relief and nausea, and ensuring safe discharge to a ward or home as appropriate.

Training and regulation: Becoming anesteesiaõde requires completing nursing education and additional specialization in anesthesia and perioperative care, followed by licensure and ongoing professional development. The exact scope of practice and level of independence vary by country and institution. In Estonia, they practice as part of the anesthesiology team and operate under physician oversight.

Work environments include operating theatres, recovery rooms, obstetric suites, and critical care settings. The profession emphasizes patient safety, precise monitoring, teamwork, and the ability to respond rapidly to changing clinical situations.