Jeremie J. Perry, MD, FASA

Answers reviewed by Dr. Perry

• Does age change anesthesia risk for older adults?

  Older adults may be more vulnerable to complications such as delirium, medication effects, and changes in heart or lung function. A tailored assessment and anesthesia plan can address those risks and support recovery.

• How are anesthesia professionals held accountable when care falls below Texas standards?

  Accountability may involve professional licensing boards, facility oversight, peer review, quality-improvement processes, and civil or other legal remedies. The specific requirements and responsible regulator vary with the professional’s license and practice setting.

• How can physician-led obstetric anesthesia care strengthen maternal safety in rural communities?

  Anesthesiologist-led obstetric care can bring advanced medical assessment, management of complex conditions, and rapid response to obstetric or anesthetic emergencies. Its effectiveness also depends on hospital staffing, equipment, blood availability, and coordinated emergency plans.

• How does an Anesthesiologist-led care team work?

  An Anesthesiologist directs the medical anesthesia plan and coordinates care with other qualified anesthesia professionals, including assessment, monitoring, and management of complications. Team composition and duties depend on patient needs, professional qualifications, and applicable...

• How does Rural Pass-Through funding affect rural anesthesia options?

  Medicare Rural Pass-Through reimbursement allows certain qualifying rural hospitals to receive special payment for eligible nonphysician anesthesia services. Those payment rules can influence staffing economics but do not, by themselves, address every barrier to...

• How should lawmakers evaluate anesthesia scope-of-practice proposals?

  Lawmakers should assess independently verifiable evidence on patient outcomes, training, emergency rescue, workforce distribution, access, and accountability. Claims that a change in scope will increase access in rural settings is not supported by the...

• How would nurse-only anesthesia care affect rural Texans?

  Nurse-only anesthesia arrangements would remove physician oversight and accountability from anesthesia care for patients in some rural facilities. It would not resolve shortages, financing constraints, or emergency-response needs. Lawmakers should evaluate actual access, patient...

• What does an Anesthesiologist actually do?

  An Anesthesiologist is a physician who evaluates a patient’s medical risks, plans and manages anesthesia, monitors vital functions, treats complications, and helps guide recovery before, during, and after procedures.

• What is the rural anesthesia debate in Texas?

  The debate concerns whether changes to anesthesia staffing and professional practice rules would meaningfully improve rural access while maintaining patient safety and medical accountability.

• What safety standards should apply when ketamine is used outside the operating room?

  Ketamine should be administered within a care system that provides appropriate patient selection, dosing, monitoring, trained personnel, and immediate access to emergency airway and resuscitation equipment. The necessary safeguards depend on the dose, patient’s...

• What should reporters know about ketamine safety?

  Ketamine is a legitimate medication used in anesthesia and other clinical settings, but its risks depend on the patient, dose, purpose, and level of supervision. Reporting should distinguish appropriately monitored clinical use from unmonitored...

• Why can recreational or unmonitored ketamine be dangerous?

  Ketamine can impair judgment and awareness and may cause dangerous changes in breathing, blood pressure, or behavior, particularly when combined with other substances. Use without appropriate screening, observation, and emergency support increases the risk...