Anesthesiology and anesthesiologists in the era of value-driven health care

Anesthesiologists, as experts in perioperative, critical care and pain management can demonstrate value by being part of teams focusing on outcomes shared by hospitals, surgeons and themselves. This perspective outlines ways in which anesthesiologists can provide leadership in preoperative care, determining the site of surgical care associated with the best outcomes at the lowest cost and treating both in-hospital and chronic care. Providing value for our patients will be our ability to coordinate and to collaborate with other medical professionals throughout the entire care continuum with the goal of improving patient outcome.