What is the essential information needed to report anesthesia time properly?

To report anesthesia time accurately, it is crucial to document the start and end times of anesthesia attendance. This time duration is necessary for billing and coding purposes, as it reflects the actual time the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist was involved in the patient’s care during the surgical procedure.

The period is measured from the moment the anesthesia provider starts preparing the patient for anesthesia to the time the patient is safely monitored in the post-anesthesia care unit. Precise documentation of these times ensures compliance with regulatory standards and accurate reimbursement for services rendered.

While other information, such as a patient's weight, medical history, type of anesthetic agents used, and the surgeon’s name, may be important for general patient care and assessment, they do not directly impact the reporting of anesthesia time. The core requirement centers specifically on the timing of the anesthesia attendance, as it is the critical factor for accurate billing and record-keeping in anesthesia practice.