Quality and Outcomes Reports - Anesthesiology

Anesthesia Duration by Complexity - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee campus

Why we measure it - Research shows that physicians and hospitals that treat a large number of patients tend to provide better care and have improved outcomes, even for complex cases. We assess all patients before surgery using a scoring system called American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification. This system helps predict the risk of complications and helps us match patients with the right resources.

• Our anesthesiologists are board certified in anesthesiology and have completed at least one additional year of pediatric anesthesiology training or experience. Many staff also has subspecialty training in pediatric critical care, complex medical care and pain management.
• We have 4 to 5 anesthesiologists on call each night to provide specialized and timely care for a range of emergent and urgent cases including cardiac services. We have expert teams on call 24 hours a day to provide coverage for general perioperative anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, services out of the operating room, critical care, pain management and trauma/code response team.
• We are recognized internationally for many innovations in perioperative monitoring including noninvasive oximetric hemodynamic monitoring that permits continuous assessment of oxygen delivery to vital organs and enhances patient safety.
• Team members use the latest equipment and therapies and have access to a variety of subspecialty teams such as pain management, critical care, orthopedics, neurosurgical, cardiac and complex airway management.
• Pediatric anesthesiologists assess all children before surgery. All perioperative anesthesia and pain management is provided or directly supervised by a pediatric anesthesiologist. Although we are a teaching hospital, we have strict limitations on the care provided by anesthesia care team members, which includes nurse practitioners, fellows and residents.
• Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, certified by the American College of Surgeons. This certification means we are able to provide the best possible care to the most critically injured children. It also recognizes that we are involved in injury prevention, research and education.
• Families traveling from long distances are encouraged to use our Family Accommodations Program to make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments. Children's Hospital has partnered with non-profit organizations like Ronald McDonald House and Kathy's House to offer comfortable, "home away from home" accommodations. Local hotel chains on our referral list also offer discounts for patient families.