Anesthesia leaves room, normal??

Lord knows practices change between hospitals, country v. city, etc. BUT I have worked in 3 countries, including several years as a device rep in ORs and have NEVER seen a patient left unattended by anesthesia. Period. Just not acceptable for a helpless, unconscious patient to be left alone (and yes, it's essentially alone - the other people in the room have no idea what to do with the anesthesia equipment).

Once again the anesthesia provider must be in the room at all times. However, sometimes it might seem as if they are not paying attention when reading at the machine but almost all MDA/CRNAs are innately a tuned to the tone of the pulse ox. This monitor's rhythm and tone indicates adequate BP, quality and speed of pulsations, and oxygenation

The only time I've ever heard of anesthesia leaving the room is during open heart surgery when the patient goes on bypass. I don't really agree with that but the rationale one CRNA gave me is "there is nothing we can do while the pt is on bypass and it's not like the pt comes off bypass in a split second, there is time for us to come back."

I agree, all you are is a bed mover during the pump run and the circulator can do that

I am a CRNA & I never leave my pt. The nurse gets something if I need it. I may step out for 2 sec for an xray, but thats it. There are very small places where there is only one anesthesia provider and it is not unusual for them to run out to quickly use the bathroom, but it is super quick and is unavoidable. Also, if a pt is on bypass sometimes anesthesia can step out, but it still isnt very common. Ive worked @ 2 hospitals and in school had 9 diff clinical sites & never saw anyone leave their pt. Im 9 months preg & sometimes am about to potty on myself & I still never leave unless I have relief from another CRNA or MDA.