California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 119

Introduced by Assembly Member Chiu

January 15, 2016

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 119—Relative to Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 119, as introduced, Chiu. Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

This measure would designate the week of January 31, 2016, to February 6, 2016, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Annually in the United States, more than 100
million operations and procedures are performed with anesthesia,
and physician anesthesiologists play a critical role in a patient’s
well-being before, during, and after surgical procedures and make
patient safety their top priority; and

WHEREAS, Physician anesthesiologists have the highest levels
of training and must complete between 12,000 and 16,000 hours
of training prior to practicing independently; and

WHEREAS, Physician anesthesiologists have been leaders in
patient safety and cited as the only medical specialty to have
significantly improved patient safety; and

WHEREAS, A physician anesthesiologist’s duties include
evaluating a patient’s current health prior to receiving anesthesia
to ensure the best outcome, administering anesthesia, monitoring
the patient during surgery, and assessing the patient after the
procedure is completed; and

WHEREAS, This spectrum of patient care constitutes the
perioperative surgical home, which the American Society of
Anesthesiologists has identified as an innovative model in patient
care where the physician anesthesiologist directs the anesthesia
care team to provide support to the patient throughout all aspects
of surgical care and procedures; and

WHEREAS, There is up to a 20-percent reduction in adverse
events when physician anesthesiologists lead the anesthesia care
team; and

WHEREAS, The American Medical Association completed a
public opinion survey that concluded 70 percent of patients want
a physician to administer and monitor anesthesia levels; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesia is safer than ever before, yet there
remains potential for complications and side effects during
procedures, and physician anesthesiologists have the training and
expertise to help minimize these risks, monitor for any problems,
and take quick action; and

WHEREAS, During surgeries or procedures, when seconds
count, physician anesthesiologists have the highest degree of
training to respond to emergencies and ensure the best patient
outcomes; and

WHEREAS, The California Society of Anesthesiologists is a
physician organization with over 3,000 members dedicated to
promoting the highest standards of the profession of
anesthesiology, fostering excellence through continuing medical
education, and serving as an advocate for anesthesiologists and
their patients; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the
week of January 31, 2016, to February 6, 2016, inclusive, as
Physician Anesthesiologist Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.