American Society of Anesthesiologists Releases Following Statement Related to
Media Inquires Regarding Michael Jackson's Death
CHICAGO, July 4 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to breaking news of drugs
reportedly found at the scene of Michael Jackson's death, the American Society
of Anesthesiologists releases the following statement:
"The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), which is made up of
physicians providing professional anesthesia care, does not know the specific
circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death. However, the ASA
unequivocally maintains that Diprivan, or its generic name Propofol, is a drug
meant only for use in a medical setting by professionals trained in the
provision of general anesthesia. Though the drug is often used for procedures
requiring sedation, patients can have extremely variable responses to the drug
and some patients can become completely nesthetized, including losing the
ability to breath. Diprivan should never be used outside of a controlled and
monitored medical setting. Use of the drug should be directly supervised by a
physician trained in anesthesia and qualified to provide physiologic rescue
should too much drug be given."
About Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists are physicians who make modern medicine possible. Every day,
their practice enables life-saving care across a broad range of specialties
when patients need it most. Anesthesiologists are responsible for the total
care of the patient prior to, during and after surgery by keeping patients
stable and safe through the administration of anesthesia,
the monitoring of vital signs and body functions, and intervention during an
emergency. Anesthesiologists have developed leading medical advances that have
allowed modern medicine to become what it is today. Without advances in
anesthesia many surgical procedures, such as transplants, cardiac surgery and
brain surgery, would not be as
advanced as they are currently.
About the ASA
Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine.
Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational,
research and scientific association with 43,000 members organized to raise and
maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve
the care of the patient. For more information visit the American Society of
Anesthesiologists Web site at
www.asahq.org.
SOURCE American Society of Anesthesiologists
Dawn Glossa, ASA, +1-773-610-2554, or d.glossa@asahq.org
