UPDATE: (Grand Rapids, Mi) The Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists are sounding the alarm because they say doctors are administering anesthesia without being board certified anesthesiologist. In a press release that was sent to WOOD Radio the society says this has become an alarming trend in health care and specifically at Corwell Health West here in the Grand Rapids Metro area.
They say the doctors who are administering are highly trained however they don’t have the expertise that a board-certified Anesthesiologist and don’t have the high level of skill should something go wrong. They say if you have a scheduled surgery ask for a board certified Anesthesiologist.
Corwell Health has sent us the following statement: Corewell Health West is not using emergency physicians and intensivists to replace anesthesiologists in surgery.
We transitioned to an employed model of anesthesia services at Corewell Health West after the previous provider of anesthesia services terminated their contract. We are exclusively utilizing board eligible/certified anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Certified Anesthesiology Assistants in a physician led anesthesia department to provide anesthesia for surgeries at Corewell Health just as we historically have.
Many physicians are residency trained to provide sedation and perform sedations for certain procedures in our hospitals. However, we exclusively use anesthesiology providers for surgery and obstetrical departments..