[Problems with employment of a staff anesthesiologist in a local hospital]

Yukiguni Yamato General Hospital (199 beds) is one of main local hospitals of Minamiuonuma area in Niigata prefecture. From June 1997, an anesthesiologist has been employed as a staff of this hospital instead of parttimers. We examined whether employment of an anesthetic staff was useful for a local hospital or not, in terms of clinical and cost advantages. There were benefits in explaining the nature of anesthesia, possible risks, operating room and pre-postoperative procedures to the patients. And there were advantages in reducing anesthetic management fee, in shortening the staying time in operating room. We conclude that there are many benefits in obtaining an anesthesiologist for a local hospital staff, but there are some drawbacks in having to work alone.