Dr. Plavin received his bachelor’s degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington and completed his residency training in anesthesiology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. An active member of local and state anesthesia societies, Dr. Plavin is past president of the Greater Atlanta Society of Anesthesiologists.
Dr. Plavin shared practical tips for benefiting from nerve blocks in an interview with Becker’s ASC Review. “My practice has two ultrasound machines, purchased to help us become more effective and efficient,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting comfortable with ultrasounds on blocks. Now, we do all blocks in pre-op — not in a separate block room. It’s five to 10 minutes for most blocks, and we haven’t lost any time on cases. We typically provide a post-op block sheet, with formal instructions about what to expect and understand when the block wears out.” Dr. Plavin said to include a list of types of activity a patient will be restricted from post-op, and information on how long the affected area will be numb.
Use of the ultrasound is an “extra $80 or $90 in reimbursement for the physician,” he said. “More importantly, it improves quality of care. When you make that kind of commitment to a facility, it enhances the bond. And patients appreciate that you’re taking the time to perform the highest level of care.”
