Physician anesthesiologists are highly skilled medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in the field of anesthesiology. Following completion of a residency program, residents are eligible to sit for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) exam. Almost 75 percent of physician anesthesiologists are board certified.

Physician Anesthesiologist Certification examination is offered by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System is a tool used in preparation for surgery to help predict risks in a given patient. The system uses a scale based on the patient’s medical history, severity of known medical conditions, and current physical state to help predict if they can tolerate anesthesia and the conditions of surgery. The ASA Physical Status Classification System has been used for more than 60 years, and was updated in 2019 to include additional disease examples.

The ASA Physical Status Classification System uses a scale from I to VI, with I being a healthy patient with minimal risks, to VI being a brain-dead patient with plans for organ donation.

In addition to the ASA Physical Status Classification System, other factors should be considered, including age, other illnesses, medications, duration and extent of surgery, choice of anesthesia and medications to be used, surgical team technique, need for blood products, surgical devices needed, and expected postoperative care.