Trauma Anesthesiologists Play a Vital Role in Emergency Care

Serving on the staff of Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Bruce Hugh Dorman, MD, performed critical care in the emergency room. With 20 years’ experience in the field, Dr. Bruce Hugh Dorman is well versed in trauma anesthesiology. 

Trauma anesthesiologists often begin their work in the ambulance or the helicopter, before they reach the ER. They must immediately sedate patients whose condition can deteriorate rapidly because of intense bleeding and severe wounds. 

In addition to putting patients under, anesthesiologists must monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure and respiration. At a moment’s notice, they may have to administer intravenous fluids or blood transfusions to ensure the safety of the heart and brain. These specialists must also watch for any side effects of the anesthesia, in addition to placing diagnostic devices to gain further information.

Their work is not done after the emergency. Trauma anesthesiologists must frequently mitigate postoperative pain with epidural, spinal, and intravenous medications. Many of them obtain additional specializations in critical care so they can treat intensive-care patients.

The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

Throughout his career as a practicing anesthesiologist and academic, Bruce Hugh Dorman, MD has written dozens of published research findings and served as a journal reviewer for respected journals such as the Journal of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Anesthesia & Analgesia. Dr. Bruce Hugh Dorman, a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, also is an active member of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA)

In partnership with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and more than 3,000 physicians worldwide, SCA has helped compile a database that includes millions of cardiac patient records. The Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD), launched in 1989, is the largest registry of cardiac procedure outcomes. The data from this repository is used by practicing surgeons to quantify a procedure's risk and evaluate hospital performance. 

Participating hospitals must pay an annual fee and submit data through the ACSD online portal. In return for their data, hospitals and clinic receive personalized quarterly performance reviews and patient risk profiles informed by national data.