Work load of anesthesiologists at the Central Surgical Unit of the Jichi Medical University Hospital

BACKGROUND: Since the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) for health insurance plans in Japan was started in medical practice, the number of surgical procedures is increasing at teaching hospitals. METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed 8,672 surgical procedures performed at the central surgical unit of the Jichi Medical University Hospital from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. RESULTS: Of the 8,672 surgical procedures, 6,922 operations were performed under the management of anesthesia staffs, and 1,904 procedures (27.5%) were done in emergency situation. Central surgical unit has 14 operating rooms and an estimated maximum number of surgical procedures is 7,700. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed that the present status of manpower of anesthesiologists at our hospital was insufficient for the work. In particular, the demands for anesthesiologists have increased in emergency operations including major cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery and liver transplantations.