Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D., Anesthesiologist
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Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.

Anesthesiologist

4/5(8)
4441 East McDowell Road Suite 101 Phoenix Arizona, 85008
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Rating

4/5

About

Thomas J. Rick, MD, works at a private practice in Phoenix, Arizona. He specializes in the extension of anesthetic and pain management services to patients undergoing surgeries. When Dr. Rick is not at his practice, he can be found working at St. Joseph and Good Samaritan Hospitals.

Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s Videos

Education and Training

Hahnemann University

Board Certification

American Board of Anesthesiology- Anesthesiology

AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 31 years of experience
Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.
Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s Expert Contributions
  • What kind of anesthesia is used for a lumpectomy?

    Local with IV sedation or general anesthesia READ MORE

  • Are elective procedures requiring anesthesia being postponed?

    Not at this time. Elective cases were postponed for a month or two, but now we are full steam ahead. This may change soon with the steep rise of Covid-19 case in AZ. READ MORE

  • Where is local anesthesia injected?

    Most likely, subcutaneously locally under the skin where the incision will be. READ MORE

  • Can a nerve block cause a blood clot?

    Any needle placement under the skin can cause a hematoma, or blood clot. READ MORE

  • Can someone with scoliosis get an epidural?

    A patient with moderate scoliosis could potentially receive an epidural for labor or pain control, although placement of an epidural catheter may be more challenging. Of course, epidural anesthesia for scoliosis surgery itself is not feasible. READ MORE

  • Can spinal anesthesia cause nerve pain?

    It would be very rare for a spinal block to cause nerve damage. It is advisable to avoid NSAIDs for ~10-14 days to decrease the risk of potential epidural hematoma (expanding blood clot) which could compress a spinal nerve. READ MORE

  • Is it safe to be under anesthesia when 5 years old?

    Aside from obvious airway issues during throat/pharyngeal surgery, it is generally safe to undergo surgery at any age as long as there is an anesthesiologist involved in the care. READ MORE

  • Why should you not drink alcohol after anesthesia?

    Both intra-operative and post-operative medication dosing usually involves administration of narcotics, which act synergistically to slow respiration and intensify sedation to possibly dangerous levels. READ MORE

  • What anesthesia is used for people over the age of 80?

    Depending on the type of surgery, the anesthesiologist may recommend a regional nerve block, spinal or epidural block, or local infiltration with or without IV sedation. For example, hip or knee surgery can be performed under spinal anesthesia block, a single injection of local anesthetic placed into the subarachnoid space in the lower back. Although general anesthesia is not contraindicated for elderly patients, it has a higher incidence of preoperative cognitive deficit. READ MORE

  • How do you get rid of anesthesia headaches?

    Caffeinated drinks, or meds such as Tramadol, Ketorolac, migraine meds like Sumatriptan, or last resor, narcotics. READ MORE

  • Can anesthesia cause shaking?

    Yes. General anesthesia results in a state of poikilothermia, i.e., a state in which body temperature approaches room temperature. So, post-op shivering can be minimized by keeping the patient warm during surgery with modalities such as forced-air warming blankets and minimizing exposed body parts. Also, a dose of Demerol prior to emergence can inhibit post-op shivering. READ MORE

  • What anesthesia is used for breast implant surgery?

    Much of my practice is anesthesia for breast augmentation. Usually, general anesthesia is preferred for breast augmentation mammoplasty. Depending on the facility (surgery center vs. surgeon office operating room) and their certification for general anesthesia, these cases are sometimes performed under deep intravenous sedation with injection of local anesthetic. Definitely do not proceed with surgery unless the plastic surgeon consults with a certified anesthesia provider, i.e., ANESTHESIOLOGIST (or at least a CRNA). Avoid a situation where a nurse of surgeon plans on administering drugs independently without a certified anesthesia provider present. Good luck! Dr. Rick READ MORE

  • What kind of anesthesia is used for teenagers?

    I personally had all four wisdom teeth extracted under local anesthesia. However, I think most dentists are offering IV sedation for an additional fee. Inquire if an anesthesiologist is involved. READ MORE

  • Can spinal anesthesia cause paralysis?

    Spinal anesthesia block is a very safe and effective mode of anesthesia for appropriate surgeries. Only under very rare circumstance will spinal block result in residual neurologic deficit, such as a peri-spinal bleed (hematoma) or infection (abscess) which could cause compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Be sure to avoid taking NSAID medications for 14 days prior to surgery. READ MORE

  • What are the side effects of anesthesia on children?

    A 12 yo boy after tonsillectomy will likely be mostly disoriented initially in recovery room. This should soon pass once he orients to the situation. Prior to the surgery you can assure him that he will wake up quickly in recovery room and that he will receive pain medicine to make him comfortable, which may make him feel goofy. READ MORE

  • How do doctors numb your finger before surgery?

    Injection of local anesthetic on either side of your finger to achieve a digital block. READ MORE

  • How do they give you general anesthesia?

    General anesthesia refers to achieving a state of unresponsiveness and unconsciousness. It is usually achieved with a combination of intravenous medicines and/or inhalational anesthetic gases by way of an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway. READ MORE

  • Why do you shiver after anesthesia?

    Featured snippet from the web: Post-anesthetic *shivering is* one of the leading causes of discomfort in patients recovering from general *anesthesia*. It usually results due to the *anesthetic* inhibiting the body's thermoregulatory capability, although cutaneous vasodilation (triggered by post-operative pain) may also be a causative factor. READ MORE

  • How long does it take a child to wake up from anesthesia?

    Depending on how much narcotic is required for the surgery, 12-year-olds usually will wake up within 20 minutes. READ MORE

  • Do you have to be intubated for general anesthesia?

    Depending on your daughter's age and which procedure is performed, she may or may not require intubation. For example, abdominal surgery usually involves administration of muscle relaxants for relaxation if the abdominal wall, which usually is an indication for intubation. READ MORE

Professional Society Memberships

  • American Society of Anesthesiology, Arizona Society of Anesthesiology

What do you attribute your success to?

  • Availability, Affordability, Accessibility

Hobbies / Sports

  • Drums, Tennis, Fitness

Favorite professional publications

  • New England Journal of Medicine, Anesthesiology

Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s Practice location

4441 East McDowell Road Suite 101 -
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Get Direction
New patients: 602-273-6901

4441 E MCDOWELL RD -
PHOENIX, AZ 85008
Get Direction
New patients: 602-273-6770
Fax: 602-889-0489

Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D.'s reviews

(8)
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Patient Experience with Dr. Rick


4.0

Based on 8 reviews

Dr. Thomas J. Rick M.D. has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 8 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Anesthesiologist in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

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