CAA Shadowing 2nd Experince

Shadowing a CAA: Insights and Excitement for the Future This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to shadow another Certified Anesthesia Assistant (CAA), and it was an amazing experience! There were a lot of similarities to my shadowing experience from last year, but I learned so much more this time around. I arrived at the hospital early—my shift was scheduled to start at 7:00 AM, but with light traffic, I made it there by 6:45. I was so excited, especially since I’ve already scheduled another shadowing session for January! I can't wait to go back. When I arrived, the coordinator for my shadowing experience met me in the lobby and took me to the locker room to change into hospital scrubs, which are required for anyone entering the operating room (OR). After getting changed, she took me to the anesthesia lounge, where I met a wonderful group of CAAs, CRNAs, and anesthesiologists. Everyone was so welcoming and eager to explain the work they do. She then walked me through the daily schedule and explained the care team model they use. In this setup, the CAAs and CRNAs work under the supervision of anesthesiologists, often swapping roles depending on the case. I really appreciated how she took the time to explain everything in detail before letting me begin shadowing. Next, she gave me an observer badge and introduced me to the CAA I’d be shadowing for the day. The first case I observed wasn’t scheduled until 9:00 AM, so in the meantime, I was able to shadow another CAA. The first surgery I observed was an Exploratory Laparotomy (XLAP), which is essentially a procedure where doctors open the abdomen to investigate the cause of a patient’s symptoms. When I entered the OR, the CAA had already begun, but he was incredibly friendly and explained everything he was doing. He walked me through the patient’s vitals and how he monitored them during anesthesia, while also showing me the screen that displayed the data. Next, I watched a breast reconstruction surgery, which was a longer procedure. I had always thought that plastic surgeries like these only took place in private practices or surgical centers, but I learned that they’re done in hospitals too! As the surgery unfolded, I was fascinated by the level of detail involved. Even though I’m not yet a CAA, I could follow along with everything that was happening, and it gave me a new perspective on just how complex and intricate surgery can be. (Maybe that’s why I’m an anatomy professor!) The last case of the day was a kidney stone removal. This was a quick procedure—only about 15 minutes—and the surgeon used a laser to remove the stone from one of the patient’s ureters. We were in and out of the OR in no time! One of the things I really appreciated about this shadowing experience was the opportunity to observe multiple CAAs in action. I quickly realized that while certain tasks remain the same, each CAA may approach a case slightly differently depending on the patient. It also became clear to me that math plays a huge role in anesthesia, with lots of calculations and pharmacological knowledge required. Overall, this was an incredible shadowing experience, and I’m so grateful for the chance to learn from such skilled professionals. I’m already looking forward to returning in January! Total shadowing hours so far: 19 hours and 45 minutes