Welcome to the website for the Associated Anesthesiologists of the Finger Lakes. Our group of twelve physicians and six nurse anesthetists administer the anesthetic for every patient who undergoes surgery at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. We take care of a wide variety of patients and procedures, ranging from children who require ear tube placement, to seniors having open heart surgery. Anesthesiologists make sure that the patient is comfortable and safe during surgery, usually taking care of any medical problems that arise during the operation, and allowing the surgeon to focus on the procedure. AAFL members have recently begun providing some anesthetic services at other southern tier hospitals, including Ira Davenport in Bath, and Schuyler Hospital in Schuyler, NY.

We are also recognized as the experts of airway management and pain control, and are frequently asked to assist in the care of patients in the emergency room and intensive care unit.

Many patients who are about to undergo an operation are more concerned about the anesthesia than of the surgery. There is a common perception that anesthesia is quite dangerous. Yet the reality is that the risk of being injured in a car accident is far more likely than the risk of being injured by an anesthetic. Advanced monitoring techniques, newer and safer drugs and equipment, and extensive training of our anesthesiologists has led to a dramatic decrease in the risks to patients over the last several decades. I am proud to be able to say that a recent report by the Healthcare Association of New York State showed our group's safety record to be among the best in the state.

I hope you find our website informative and interesting. We have included detailed information about the most common types of anesthetics, a frequently-asked-question section, and some information about the members of our group. Feel free to let us know if there are any changes that could be made to improve our site, feedback is always welcome.