ROSEMONT, Ill., April 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (AANA) –April is Oral
Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Association of Nurse
Anesthesiology (AANA) reminds the public that the best prevention
of oral health issues is early detection. However, patients also
need to be aware of the critical importance of ensuring access to
safe anesthesia care during oral cancer treatments including
surgery.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 58,450
new cases of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (cancer that develops in
the back of the throat) are estimated in 2024. About 12,230 people
will die from these cancers in 2024. The death rates for cancers of
the mouth and throat increased by 0.6% per year from 2009 through
2021, after decades of decline.
Proactive oral health habits, such as regular check-ups with
your dentist or healthcare provider, can help ensure that oral
cancer is detected at its earliest stages. Once diagnosed, surgery
is a common treatment for oral cancer, depending upon where the
tumor is, its size and if it has spread. Sometime reconstructive
surgery is needed too. This is done to repair the damage caused by
taking out the tumor. It can also help restore the way your body
works and looks.
Sedation for any oral surgery increases the complexity of care
and emphasizes the importance of having sedation and anesthesia
provided by an anesthesia professional, such as a Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) also known as a nurse
anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, who is focused only on
patient safety, monitoring, and vigilance.
"Before you have oral surgery, consult with your cancer care
team about your options for anesthesia," said AANA President
Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN.
"Patients can count on a CRNA to stay with them throughout their
procedure and provide high-quality, patient-centered care."
"Each patient has a unique response to medications utilized for
sedation and anesthesia. As anesthesia experts, CRNAs are available
to continuously monitor the patient and can focus on changes in the
patient's condition and intervene as necessary in emergent
situations," said Riddle. "Depending upon the complexity of the
oral surgery, it is important to address any concerns patients may
have about the anesthesia plan with their anesthesia provider.
CRNAs will develop a patient specific plan of care, monitor the
patient throughout the perioperative process and provide
postoperative guidance/education specific to any care and
precautions to take after anesthesia."
CRNAs are highly educated, trained, and qualified anesthesia
experts. They have the education and experience to react quickly to
emergency situations in oral surgery settings, possessing the
expertise to administer the anesthesia and focus solely on the
patient's condition and intervene as necessary if critical events
occur during the procedure.
CRNAs provide 50 million anesthetics per year in the United States, working in every setting in
which anesthesia is delivered. CRNAs are skilled to provide safe,
high-quality, and cost-effective care as members of
patient-centered dental care teams in all settings, including
dental offices, in accordance with state law.
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SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology