Spinal Analgesia for Babies: What's All That Fuss About?

Oct 6, 2020

Dr Whitaker is a pediatric anesthesiologist at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Neurological Sciences, & Pediatrics at The University of Vermont College of Medicine. His clinical interests lie in the anesthetic care of neonates and in spinal anesthesia for neonates, infants, and children. His research is focused on developing optimal anesthesia care for neonates and infants and his current research interests include developing novel ways to monitor pediatric regional anesthesia. 

Today he shares how he got started with this practice, the groundwork established by his mentors, and the recent findings and developments in this field. We also talk about the general reception of spinal analgesia from parents, doctors, and other stakeholders. 

This episode is very practical and eye opening. If you're being asked about it or are thinking of how to start incorporating spinal analgesia in your clinical practice or you’re still on the fence, this episode is definitely for you! 

Takeaways In This Episode:

• How Dr. Emmett Whitaker got interested and started the practice of spinal anesthetics
• The importance of having a surgeon champion and the stakeholders being really engaged partners  for a successful implementation of a new initiative/program
• When is it appropriate to do spinal anesthesia analgesia for children
• The benefits of pediatric spinal anesthesia
• Parents' reception of pediatric spinal anesthesia
• Anesthesiologists’  and surgeons reception of pediatric spinal anesthesia
• How can an institution get started with pediatric spinal anesthesia program
• Skill set required to perform this procedure
• The typical workflow for pediatric spinal anesthesia
• Dr. Emmett Whitaker’s final thoughts on pediatric spinal anesthesia

Links

Emmett Whitaker, MD

Contact Dr. Whitaker

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