Anaesthesiology at SKMCH&RC, Lahore

Anaesthetists at the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, are part of a skilled team who work with patients and their family members before, during and after surgery. After thorough evaluation, our anaesthetists develop an anaesthesia plan tailored to a particular patient’s unique needs, and then carefully monitor the patient during surgery. Throughout preparation, surgery and recovery, patient safety remains our top concern. The department also provides comprehensive pain management for acute and chronic pain conditions.

OUR EXPERTISE

The Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine comprises consultants, senior instructors, fellows and residents. The specialist pain nurses, dedicated PACU staff and anaesthesia technicians complete the competent and efficient anaesthesia team.  The biggest strength of the department is the ability of all members to work as a team towards improvement in patient care and excellence in research work.

On average, 1,200 patients receive anaesthesia services in a month. The Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine provides the following services inside the Hospital:

  • Anaesthesia, Sedation and Monitored Anaesthesia Care for the following departments and procedures:
    • Surgical Oncology Department (in 8 operating rooms and  2 procedure rooms)
    • Radiology Department (MRI, CT Scan, PET CT Scan, USG Biopsies and Interventional Radiology Procedures)
    • Nuclear Medicine Department (Renal Scan, Tagged RBC study)
    • Endoscopy Suite (Endoscopy, ERCP, Diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies, cholangioscopy)
    • Clinical and Radiation Oncology Department (Teletherapy and placement of RFA fields)
  • Running a 16-bed Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and a 4-bed chair recovery
  • Tunnelled venous line access (Short term and long term) for patients
  • Preoperative assessments of patients in preoperative clinic
  • Instituting definite and advanced airway
  • Part of ”Code Blue Team”
  • Difficult Intravenous Access
  • Comprehensive acute pain service
    • Daily consultant led acute pain round
    • 24/7 acute pain cover
  • Chronic pain service on outpatients and inpatients
    • Weekly outpatient clinic
    • Inpatient consults
    • Regular interventional list

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICIANS

In addition to case-by-case teaching and on hands training by consultants, a regular teaching programme is in place for all residents. This includes daily classes and one weekly grand round on Friday. Special VIVAS and TOACS practice sessions are arranged before examinations.

The department also provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate many important issues, including:

  • How Anaesthetics Work
  • Simulators and Human Performance
  • Making Regional Analgesia Reliable
  • Measuring Outcomes following Anaesthesia
  • Reducing Pain following Surgery
  • Chronic Pain in Non-cancer Patients
  • Chronic Pain in Cancer Patients

Critical Care Medicine