The Anesthetist's Hymn

A couple of weeks ago, I was pre-opping a patient and she asked me if I'd ever heard "The Anesthetists Hymn." This is a song written and performed by a couple of British anesthesiologists (or "anesthetists" as they call them in the U.K.) It has been around for many years and we anesthesiologists, surgeons and OR nurses periodically put it on YouTube and LOAsO. It is a real hoot and is just as funny each time I watch it.

So, of course, I was delighted that my patient was familiar with it. And to top it all off, she asked if we could play it in the OR when she was falling asleep! Really?? Of course!

So we went back to the OR. I got her all high on Versed and fentanyl and we got on YouTube and looked up the video. She was healthy and had a great airway so I didn't bother with any pre-oxygenation. And would you believe...she sang along with the anesthetists. I mean, really belted it out. So the rest of us started to sing too. And before you know it, people passing by the room that could hear the commotion started coming in and joining us!

As the last notes played, I began to push the "white stuff" and she drifted off to sleep with a big, goofy grin on her face. Everyone else went back to work with smiles on their faces, a little happier.

I really do love my job. And some days I love it even more.