Nine out of 10 anesthesiologists are currently experiencing a shortage of at least 1 anesthetic, according to an American Society of Anesthesiologists survey in which nearly all respondents reported dealing with some kind of drug shortage over the past year.

Although over 98% of the more than 1,350 anesthesiologists who responded to ASA's online survey in April said they'd experienced an anesthesia drug shortage within the last year, more than 91% said they were able to compensate with alternative medications. Still, these workarounds were not without their consequences. More than half the anesthesiologists reported having to alter their patient care in some way, and about 10% said they've had to postpone or cancel cases because of drug shortages.

The drugs reported as being most scarce were: neostigmine (56.9% of respondents experienced a shortage), thiopental (54.7%), succinylcholine (47.6%), propofol (40.3%) and glycopurrolate (17.3%).

"The drug shortages are having a profound impact on anesthesiologists and patients each day," says ASA President Mark A. Warner, MD, in a press release announcing the survey results. Specifically, survey respondents said nearly half of patients who had surgery during a drug shortage "experienced less than optimal outcomes," such as increased rates of post-operative nausea and vomiting and longer procedure and recovery times.

ASA has thrown its support behind federal legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota earlier this year, that would improve the Food and Drug Administration's ability to address and prevent shortages of prescription drugs, including anesthetics.

Irene Tsikitas