Anesthesiology Self-Paced Learning Series: Awareness Under General Anesthesia

Despite board certification and regular completion of continuing medical education, many anesthesia practitioners may exhibit knowledge gaps or performance issues that detract from quality patient care. The presence of these issues can be multifactorial – new surgical procedures, variations in anesthesia equipment, drug availability, communication systems issues, or local hospital culture. Often practitioners may not even be aware of systemic quality issues to which they or their colleagues are contributing. Self-paced learning opportunities, created by the Department of Anesthesiology with contributions from content experts, can help address these knowledge gaps in an efficient and targeted manner.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anesthesiologists, pain medicine and perioperative medicine specialists

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize current clinical practice related to the perioperative educational topic presented.
  • Utilize the tools provided to be able to address knowledge gaps and improve their professional skills.
  • Outline the departmental and interdisciplinary implications of the perioperative issues being presented and how their practice fits within the greater health system
  • Appy the educational topics presented which are driven by patient safety issues that are recognized by both the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, as well as local, division, and system patient safety committees. 
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    • 0.25 Patient Safety/Risk Management
  • 0.25 Attendance
    • 0.25 Patient Safety/Risk Management
Course opens: 
05/01/2023
Course expires: 
05/01/2026
UPMC Learning
United States

Planning Committee:

  • David Metro, MD FASA - Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Senior Vice Chair for Education, Senior Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
  • Shawn T. Beaman, MD, FASA - Chief Anesthesiologist, UPMC Presbyterian, Associate Professor, Director, Trauma Anesthesiology, UPMC Presbyterian, , Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Course Directors:

  • Joshua Knight, MD FASE - Medical Director of Quality, Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
  • Dennis Phillips, DO -  Medical Director of Quality in the UPMC, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
  • Keith M. Vogt, MD, PhD, FASA - Associate Professor, Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Bioengineering, and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Director, Anesthesiology Neuroscience Research Program, Director, Pittsburgh ANesTHEsiology Research (PANTHER) track Program, UPMC Anesthesiology Residency Program, Co-director, Anesthesiology Professional Practice Rotation

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

No planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

Disclaimer Statement: 

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Available Credit

  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    • 0.25 Patient Safety/Risk Management
  • 0.25 Attendance
    • 0.25 Patient Safety/Risk Management
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