1. The Anesthesia Care Team & Your Safety
Q: What is the specific role of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? A: A CAA is a highly skilled anesthesia provider who practices under the medical direction of a physician anesthesiologist. We work within the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model. This means that for every procedure, you have the benefit of two anesthesia experts: the physician, who oversees the strategic plan, and the CAA (myself), who is at your bedside continuously, monitoring your breath-by-breath physiology.
Q: How does your background in Psychology and Nursing influence your anesthesia practice? A: My background allows for a holistic approach. The Psychology degree helps me identify and alleviate the "white coat hypertension" and severe anxiety that many patients feel before surgery. My Nursing background ensures that I view the patient not just as a set of vital signs, but as a person requiring dignity and advocacy. When I induce anesthesia, I am using the technical skills from South University, but the comforting hand on your shoulder comes from Mercer and GSU.
2. Patient Safety & Pharmacological Vigilance
Q: You often write about "Propofol Safety" and "Chain of Custody." Why is this a priority? A: Propofol (Diprivan) is the "workhorse" of modern anesthesia, but it demands absolute respect. It has a narrow therapeutic index and requires strict handling protocols. In my research for The Atlanta Health Review, I emphasize that safety isn't just about the correct dose; it's about the systems of control—ensuring that medications are stored, tracked, and administered with 100% accountability. I advocate for rigorous "Chain of Custody" protocols in all ambulatory centers to prevent diversion and ensure that every milligram is accounted for, protecting both the patient and the provider.
Q: What are the risks associated with the "Subclade K" Flu Surge you have discussed? A: The "Subclade K" variant presents unique challenges for anesthesia because it causes significant airway hyperreactivity. Patients with this strain are at higher risk for laryngospasm (a closure of the vocal cords) during the emergence phase of anesthesia. My advisory work focuses on preparing anesthesia teams to identify these patients pre-operatively and to modify their anesthetic plans—perhaps by avoiding desflurane or using deep extubation techniques—to mitigate this risk.
3. The Atlanta Health Review & Health Equity
Q: What is the "Medical Desert" in South Atlanta? A: The "Medical Desert" refers to the severe lack of trauma and emergency care capacity in the southern crescent of Metro Atlanta, exacerbated by the closure of the Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center. My analysis shows that residents in these zip codes face significantly longer ambulance transport times and poorer outcomes for time-critical conditions like stroke or myocardial infarction.
Q: What is the "Ariana Lyons Model for Healthcare Transformation"? A: This is a policy framework I developed to address these disparities. It calls for:
Strategic Certificate of Need (CON) Reform: Fast-tracking approval for new facilities in underserved zones.
Workforce Stabilization: Implementing retention subsidies for providers working in high-stress, safety-net hospitals.
Integrated Safety Nets: Creating a unified data system between North and South Atlanta hospitals to better manage patient load balancing during surges.