Away Rotation at Fairfax

A Day at Fairfax OB

Fairfax away Rotation update provided by Jamie Smothers, CA-3

Jamie Smothers, CA-3

Fairfax OB is an elective 3-week rotation at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA (approximately 2 hours north of Charlottesville). CA-3s often opt to do this popular rotation to get feel of doing OB anesthesia in a private practice setting. The department provides a condo for housing which is about 20-25 minutes away from the hospital, however I opt to stay with family in the area.

A typical day starts at 7:00 am with preop assessments for the first scheduled c-sections. The resident then quickly goes to the OR to set up to for a spinal for the first case. With my attending nearby for help if I need it, I successfully place the spinal for the patient.  Once the block sets up the nurse anesthetist takes over the case while I go to set up for the next spinal. On average we will place 5-6 spinals a day. The most I’ve done is 9! Often there will be add-on cases from the Labor & Delivery floor, so my attending and I will go assess the patient and bolus epidurals for conversions to c-sections. The resident gets relieved at 5 pm. No call, no weekends makes for a great rotation with lots of time for reading and relaxation!