Our Services
- Ambulatory Anesthesia Services
- Cardiac Anesthesia Services
- Obstetric Anesthesia Services
- Pain and Symptom Management Center
- Pediatric Anesthesia Services
Anesthesia Services for Childbirth
Childbirth is a natural process that women have undertaken without medical assistance for thousands of years. Relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and medications such as Demerol or Nubain help many women through labor and delivery.
Our role as anesthesia physicians is to help provide relief for those women whose discomfort is not helped by these techniques, or who require a cesarean section.
An epidural is chosen for pain relief by 40% of women in labor in this country. A small tube, or catheter is carefully threaded through a needle between the bones of the lower back.This allows a local anesthetic to be injected, causing numbness over the lower abdomen and legs and providing intense pain relief. After an initial dose, further medication is provided by a constant infusion pump, so that pain relief may continue until delivery.
Cesarean section (C-Section) may be required to deliver the baby if labor does not progress as expected. General anesthesia is usually avoided where possible, unless the c-section is very urgent.
Regional anesthesia allows the patient to be awake and comfortable for the birth of the baby. If a labor epidural is already in place, further medication is injected through it to make the mother intensely numb. Sometimes the epidural is inserted in the operating room just prior to surgery.
A spinal anesthetic is very similar to an epidural, but is usually reserved for c-sections. A very fine needle is used to inject a small amount of local anesthetic into the spinal fluid, below where the spinal cord ends. This provides the intense numbness required for c-section much more quickly and reliably than an epidural, and using much less medication. In the past this technique frequently caused headaches afterwards, but with modern very thin needles the chance of this happening is less than 1%.
Pain and Symptom Management Center
SERVICES PROVIDED
Pain is a term that historically has been used to describe a state that usually is short lived and self-resolving. But in some cases, pain can be a chronic unrelenting phenomenon, affecting people both physically and mentally.
One in five people suffers from some type of chronic pain. Pain is second to the common cold as a cause for a doctor's visit. From common complaints like headaches or back pain, to pain associated with osteoporosis, cancer, chronic regional pain syndrome, and pelvic pain, the Pain and Symptom Management Center provides relief through comprehensive evaluation and innovative treatments. The Center's goal is to relieve and manage pain that does not respond to conservative therapy.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH
Diagnosing and managing pain requires a comprehensive understanding of our patient's history and involves a range of health-related disciplines. The Center works closely with other professionals including physical therapists, pharmacists, psychologists and gynecologists to develop the best approach for pain relief and management.
PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATIONThe Center's staff offers education and support to patients and families regarding chronic pain diagnosis, medications, nerve blocks and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used in managing pain symptoms
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Pain management is provided under board-certified physicians who have completed fellowship training in chronic and cancer pain management. Careful medication management is an important aspect of pain treatment.
RETURN-TO-WORK TREATMENT
Pain management can provide effective treatment following on-the-job or other injuries, relieving pain so people can return to work.
IMPLANTABLE DEVICE THERAPY
Treating pain may involve surgically implanting devices to treat a specifically targeted area. This alternative is used for certain pain conditions which do not respond to traditional therapy.
DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES
Radiology and other diagnostic tools are used to identify and evaluate the precise location and type of tissue causing pain. Injections or nerve-block therapy is used to administer medication directly at the area targeted as the source of pain.
CANCER PAIN THERAPY
Innovative alternatives to conservative treatments are available for relieving pain associated with cancer. Our staff has extensive educational resources regarding these alternatives and is available for consultation regarding cancer pain management.
STAFF
Eric D. Dotson, M.D.
Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management
Gilbert Proper, M.D.
Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management
Steve Giriyappa, M.D.
Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Hope Monje BSN, RN, Clinian III, Administrative Clinical Leader
Mary Halpainy, RN Clinician II
Carol Tymoch BSN, RN Clinician IV
JoMarcia Franck RN, Clinician III
LOCATION
The Pain and Symptom Management Center is located on the campus of Rochester General Hospital.
Rochester General Hospital Medical Office Building
Suite 445
1415 Portland Avenue
Rochester, New York 14621
PHONE: 585-922-3576
FAX: 585-922-5941
» Visit the RGH Website