Steven L. Dain

Anesthesiologist

310 Juliana Drive Woodstock Ontario, N4V 0A4 Show map

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About

Steven Dain MD, FRCPC is an anesthesiologist at Woodstock Hospital in Woodstock Ontario, Adjunct Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario Canada and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo where he works with the real-time embedded software group. For over 25 years he was an Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry before retiring from academic anesthesia practice in 2013.

For over 25 years, Dr. Dain has participated in the writing and development of Canadian National and International Standards for medical equipment and design and construction of healthcare facilities. He is currently the Chair of the CSA/SCC Canadian Advisory Committee for the International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC121 (TSC on CAC to ISO TC 121-Anaesthetic and Respiratory Equipment(/z251.1/)- Anesthetic Equipment and Medical Breathing Machines), and member of the CSA TC on Application of Electricity in Health Care(/z290/) and TSC on Medical Gas Systems(/z251.20/). Dr Dain is a member of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Standards of Care Committee and Patient Safety Committee. He is a peer assessor and an assessor for the “Out of Hospital Premises Inspection Program” (OHPIP) for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

In 2008 he was been appointed as Chair of ISO Technical Committee 121, Subcommittee 4 Anesthesia Vocabulary developing standard terminology for critical care and homecare ventilators. Dr. Dain is a member of the International Healthcare Terminology Standards Development Organization Anesthesia Special Interest Group and of the Canadian Standards Association Healthcare Technology Steering Committee.

For the past four years, Dr. Dain has participated in the IHE (Integrating the Health Enterprise) Patient Care Devices Committee, developing medical device communications protocol for anesthesia equipment and critical care ventilators culminating in publication of ISO/IEEE 1 Standard 1073-10101a-2015 Health informatics--Point-of-care medical device communication --Part 10101: Nomenclature Amendment 1: Additional Definitions

Dr. Dain is a collaborator in the MD Plug and Play Interoperability Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital / CIMIT (Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology) in Cambridge, MA, and is setting up a Canadian Lab with the Embedded Software Group, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo where he helps supervise undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students in medical computing projects. Over the years, Dr Dain has worked as a private consultant for numerous companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and medical informatics industries as well as a being a subcontractor to NASA and the US military and in the design of medical facilities.

Education and Training

MD at the University of Toronto

Board Certification

Anesthesiology

Provider Details

Male English 37 years of experience

Steven L. Dain

Steven L. Dain's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Does dental anesthesia have side effects?
This is an excellent discussion Understanding Dental Anesthesia: Types, Side Effects & Risks (healthline.com) READ MORE
Is it common to wake up during a colonoscopy?
Yes, colonoscopies are usually done under various levels of sedation, according to the needs of the endoscopist and the need for the patient to be repositioned during the procedure. Little sedation is needed when the scope is being withdrawn, and the patient can often watch the video during the scope. READ MORE
Is topical anesthetic effective?
Topic anesthesia is effective on mucous membranes, that is in your mouth, nose, upper airway, rectum and for your eye. It's not very effective for intact skin. EMLA cream and patches are available in some countries that is somewhat effective. No topical anesthesia blocks the sensation of heavy pressure or movement. Best wishes, READ MORE
What type of sedation is used for an MRI?
Usually no sedation is used for MRIs unless the person is extremely anxious, or can't stay still. In these cases, everything from sublingual lorazepam, oral, intravenous or intramuscular injections of major tranquilizers, intravenous midazolam, propofol infusions for deep sedation or general anesthesia can be used depending on local preferences and staffing. These other options need to be addressed and requested at the time of the booking and not on the day of the scan! Best wishes. READ MORE
How long does it take to fall asleep with anesthesia?
5-15 seconds depending on your size, heart rate and past use of drugs, marijuana and alcohol intake which increase anesthetic requirements READ MORE
How long does it take to wake up after knee surgery?
Knee surgery can be done under general, spinal or epidural anesthesia depending on your choice and the preferences of the anesthesiologist and surgeon. If general anesthesia chosen, you'll wake up immediately after the completion of surgery but you may not remember it. Spinal and epidural and aesthetics can be accompanied with either deep or light sedation or no sedation at all. The amount of sedation that you received, if any, will influence how fast you will be conscious and remember your surroundings. READ MORE
How long does lidocaine last in finger?
90-120 minutes, occasionally up to 4 hours READ MORE
What are the side effects of nerve block injections?
A good discussion is at "Risks and benefits of regional anesthesia" - American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (asra.com) Risks and benefits of regional anesthesia American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 1. What are the benefits of a regional block? Frequently, there is less nausea from regional blocks and patients... Steven Dain READ MORE
What drugs are used to reverse anesthesia?
No drugs are used to reverse the effects of anesthesia. You exhale the gases, and the body metabolises the intravenous medications. The only drugs we reverse are muscle relaxants if they are used for the procedure. There are medications to reverse narcotics and benzodiazepines, but they are rarely used. Steven Dain READ MORE
What anesthesia is used for childbirth?
Please see: https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/pain-management/techniques/epidural/ Best wishes READ MORE
What are the side effects of regional anesthesia?
Please see: Risks and benefits of regional anesthesia - American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (asra.com) READ MORE
Can you get paralyzed by an epidural?
The answer is yes, but it is extremely rare. From a study in 2014.. June 04, 2014 Laboring under misconceptions: Epidural myths may keep women from reliable pain management It’s one of the most effective, safest and widely used forms of pain management for women in labor, yet there are misconceptions about epidurals, a recent study shows. From fears of permanent back pain to allegations of potential harm to the baby, many women still harbor mistaken beliefs about epidurals. “My own mother didn’t want me to have an epidural because she thought it would hurt my baby,” says Paloma Toledo, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study. “But when I showed her the overwhelming scientific evidence that it was safe for me and the baby, she felt good about my decision.” More than 60 percent of women in labor use an epidural, spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for labor, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. It is becoming increasingly rare to use spinal anesthesia for delivery alone, but combined spinal-epidurals are becoming quite common, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). To administer an epidural, a physician anesthesiologist inserts a needle and tiny tube (catheter) in your lower back and delivers medication to continuously relieve pain below your belly button. Spinal anesthesia is a one-time injection of pain medication. Toledo, an obstetric physician anesthesiologist and assistant professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, frequently hears concerns and misconceptions about epidurals. With the ASA, she offers the truth behind some common myths: Myth: Epidurals can cause permanent back pain or paralysis in the mother. Fact: Serious complications from an epidural, including paralysis, are extremely rare. Some women have discomfort in the lower back (where the catheter was inserted) for a few hours or days after the epidural, but it doesn’t last. Myth: Epidurals can harm the baby. Fact: In Toledo’s study, published last year in the “International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia,” women expressed concern that an epidural could cause cerebral palsy or be harmful to the baby. No evidence or research corroborates these concerns. Additionally, the amount of medication that reaches the baby from the epidural is so small it doesn’t cause harm. Myth: Epidurals can slow down labor or increase the risk of having a cesarean section (C-section). Fact: There is no credible evidence that an epidural slows down labor or increases your risk of having a C-section. If a woman has a C-section, other factors usually are at play, including having a very large baby or slow progression of labor due to other issues. In fact, there is evidence that epidurals can speed the first stage of labor for some women. Myth: An epidural can interfere with the birth experience. Fact: Some women express fear that their legs will be numb and they won’t be able to walk, feel a contraction or push properly. In fact, your legs should not be so numb that you do not feel them. You may be able to walk after an epidural, depending on the hospital’s policy; however, walking generally is not recommended immediately after the epidural is placed. Epidural procedures have improved significantly in the last 20 years, and you’ll receive enough medication to relieve the pain without taking away your ability to move. Furthermore, the epidural medications will not cause you to be groggy or tired. In other words, you’ll be able to feel contractions – they just won’t hurt – and you’ll be able to push effectively. Myth: There’s a limited window of time when you can get an epidural. Fact: You can get an epidural any time during your labor – in the beginning, the middle or even toward the end. READ MORE
How many hours can you be under anesthesia?
There is really no limit to how long people can be under anesthesia. In the ICU, people are heavily sedated for days. In the OR, some complex procedures take in excess of 24 hours READ MORE
What type of anesthesia is used for shoulder replacement?
A general anesthetic is used for shoulder replacements. In addition, some anesthesiologist use a regional block (intrascalene block) to assist in postoperative pain. READ MORE
Can seniors have procedures done with local anesthesia?
Anyone can have procedures done under local or regional anesthesia except those that are on certain blood thinners and a few other medical conditions. It really is dependent on the type of procedure and the patient's medications, allergies, and underlying medical conditions. Please request an anesthesia consult prior to surgery for more information. Steven Dain READ MORE
Can you have general anesthesia without intubation?
Yes, however it depends on the type and duration of surgery, patient body habitus, and history of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Best wishes READ MORE
Can I go under anesthesia after a concussion?
This article answers your question better than I could. https://www.apsf.org/article/is-a-concussed-brain-a-vulnerable-brain-anesthesia-after-concussion/ Best wishes READ MORE
How long does vomiting last after anesthesia?
You may not have any vomiting at all. This often depends on the type of surgery and the post-operative medications given for pain. Opiate-based medications given post-operatively may cause nausea unrelated to the anesthesia. Everybody is different in the amount of side effects. There's been some evidence in the past that people that are prone to motion sickness may get more post-operative nausea. One of the biggest causes of post-operative nausea is caffeine withdrawal if you drink more than two cups of coffee a day or a lot of colas or teas or energy drinks. If you do it is suggested to taper them down over the course of a week preoperatively. It is important to be well hydrated. Drink lots of clear fluids such as water or clear sports drinks, up to the time that you're given in your instructions before surgery. Anesthesiologists routinely give anti-nausea medication as part of the anesthesia cocktail of drugs. Propofol used for anesthesia also tends to decrease nausea on its own. Best wishes. READ MORE
Does local anesthesia affect your heart?
Local anesthetics used properly will not affect your heart. Occasional side effects include tremors, a metallic taste in your mouth, numbness around your mouth and tongue. Overdoses of local anesthetics can affect the heart. Some very anxious people afraid of needles may faint or decrease their heart rate (vasovagal reaction), but that is out of fear not the local anesthetic. Local anesthetics are sometimes mixed with epinephrine to increase their duration of action and reduce bleeding and blood loss. Some of the epinephrine may be absorbed into the blood stream and increase heart rate, increase blood pressure and cause an increase in anxiety. Best wishes, READ MORE
What causes vomiting after anesthesia?
There are several different things that can cause vomiting. Most of the modern anesthetics themselves tend not to cause vomiting as in the past. Laparoscopic surgery carries a higher risk of nausea as the bowel is often pushed about in the belly. Opiates such as remifentanil used intraop cause nausea. Post-operative pain medications can cause nausea. If you drink more than 2 large coffees a day or the equivalent caffeine, caffeine withdrawal is often related to headaches and nausea. Different phases of the menstrual cycle can also predispose you to nausea. Most anesthesiologist routinely give IV anti-nauseant medications intraoperatively to reduce the incidence of nausea. Best wishes. READ MORE

Awards

Canadian Standard Association Award of Merit in Recognition of Exemplary Leadership, Dedicated Involvement and Passionate Support

Professional Society Memberships

Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (Develops Medical Device Communication Protocols), American Society of Anesthesiologists, Society for Technology in Anesthesia, Canadian Medical Association