ASA Physical Status Classification

John Kidd is an experienced staff physician and board-certified anesthesiologist who holds an MD from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. To supplement his professional work, John Kidd, MD also holds membership with professional organizations such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

Since its founding in 1905, the ASA has advocated for the interests of anesthesiologists, care team members, and patients while elevating anesthesiology practice standards. Based in Schaumburg, Illinois, the organization operates an array of programs that range from education and career supports to research-based initiatives that include analytics services and classification systems.

One such classification system, the Physical Status Classification System, has supported the assessment and communication of patient comorbidities before anesthesia for over six decades. The system coordinates surgery information, patient frailty, and other factors to predict a level of perioperative risk. Currently, the Physical Status Classification System includes six levels that range from ASA I to ASA VI. ASA I represents the healthiest side of the scale, while ASA VI represents a declared brain-dead patient.

For further information on the Physical Status Classification System, visit www.asahq.org.

Adhere Physician-Led Care for Veterans

An anesthesiologist, John Kidd, MD, has a career spanning over 20 years including his present position with Medicus Healthcare Solutions. John Kidd, MD is also a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

In January, the ASA and its supporters came out to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs not to lift the rule requiring physician-led anesthesia care through the VA. The rule would remove the supervision of physicians when administering anesthesia. Around 13,000 comments, 3,000 of which came from veterans, advocated alongside the ASA to protect the quality of care for veterans by adhering to the requirement.

The ASA opposes any action that would lower the standard of care for patients. Removing the rule would place nurses in charge. While nurses are highly-trained, they do not possess the same expertise or have the same training (in breadth or time) as an anesthesiologist. Ultimately, the organization believes that not adhering to this requirement would lower the standard of care and jeopardize patient safety.

Medicus Healthcare Solutions-Locum Tenens Services

With a medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, John Kidd, MD is a private practitioner working on behalf of Somnia Anesthesia to provide locum tenens anesthesia coverage. John Kidd, MD also serves Medicus Healthcare Solutions, a locum tenens staffing business headquartered in Windham, New Hampshire.

Medicus Healthcare Solutions provides project and resource management services, consulting services, and permanent and supplemental staffing for healthcare organizations across the country. Some of the core medical specialties offered locum tenens by Medicus Healthcare Solutions are anesthesia, hospital medicine, psychiatry, surgery, and family medicine. All Medicus Healthcare Solutions supplemental physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are knowledgeable about their specialty.

The locum tenens providers typically work in institutions facing physician shortages and need assistance to fulfill the duties. It is not only beneficial for healthcare institutions but also for medical professionals who are interested in gaining experience or exploring career options. Physicians who have retired from full-time practice can also enjoy working locum tenens.

With Medicus Healthcare Solutions, healthcare professionals can work as much or as little as they want, ranging from two-day assignments to practicing 50 weeks a year. The locations are varied, and there is also the possibility of providing advisory services, serving in leadership positions, and participating in team projects.