Originally Posted by scpod

The use of general anesthesia is usually legislated by individual states. Most of them have laws that tell you where and how it should be performed and who must be present at the time. In South Carolina, for instance, a DPM must have a CRNA, AA, or Anesthesiologist present to perform general anesthesia, but a Dentist doesn't need that. In Tennessee, performing any surgery under general anesthesia or conscious sedation is limited to a hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center. Virginia allows a dentist who has the proper training and equipment to do it under certain stipulations in his/her office, but podiatrists are limited to approved hospitals or surgical ambulatory centers. In a not-so-related note Virginia law also permits DPMs to supervise PAs (thought that was interesting).

In any case, pretty much anyone who performs surgery must be ACLS certified because emergencies happen. Most states also stipulate where surgeroies can be performed and what personnel and equipment must be available. Still, I've heard of quite a few cases where minor plastics procedures were being performed in an MDs office and they had to dial 911 because of a cardiac arrest that they couldn't handle. In fact, in any MD or DO or DPM office or clinic where cardiac emergencies can, and do, occur, the procedure is generally to activate EMS-- because even though they may have the knowledge to handle the emergency, they are not equipped to do so.