American Board of Anesthesiology

American Board of Anesthesiology

Since 1938, the ABA has defined practice standards that instill confidence in the knowledge and skills of board-certified anesthesiologists to provide high-quality patient care

Once considered an ancillary service, the specialty of anesthesiology is now understood as a mainstream discipline essential to delivering safe patient care. The ABA Board of Directors advocated for this change, pursuing excellence across the practice of anesthesiology. The ABA was among the first boards to establish standards for their field, joining with other boards such as the American Board of Psychology and Neurology and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to lead in the creation of a comprehensive pain medicine subspecialty examination. The ABA has remained at the forefront of the specialty from the days of ether, oxygen and a rubber tube to today’s ever-shifting landscape of specialized tools and procedures. Learn more about the ABA’s ground-breaking history below.

Why ABA Certification Matters

The ABA’s rigorous initial and continuing certification programs ensure the dedication and clinical excellence of every diplomate.

A legacy of excellence - Board of Directors

Learn more about the team that establishes the ABA’s vision and standards.

The ABA's Mission, Vision and Values

Our Mission - The ABA’s mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology.®
Our Vision - The ABA’s vision is to be a highly effective and respected medical specialty certifying board that instills confidence and trust.
Our Values - 
Service: We demonstrate a commitment to service in everything we do and we continually exhibit a customer service culture.
Reliability: We demonstrate dependability as individuals and employees for our own actions and their consequences, and for the performance of our duties and functions. We are trustworthy in all that we do.
Adaptability: We demonstrate flexibility in rapidly changing conditions. We do what it takes to adjust our approach and shift our priorities to meet the needs of our constituents.

Partners with purpose

The ABA partners with other medical certifying boards, medical schools, hospitals and independent practices around the nation and the world to ensure their personnel share the high standards and expertise of an ABA-certified diplomate.

Learn more below about how your institution can partner with the ABA.

Patients - Why choose a board-certified physician?

Anesthesia is safest when a board-certified anesthesiologist is involved.

What drives us?

The ABA’s mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. Patient safety is at the forefront of our organization as we ensure anesthesiologists have the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care.

Questions to ask your Anesthesiologist

Are you certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology?
What type of anesthesia do you recommend for my procedure?
What are the risks and benefits of this type of anesthesia?
What are the alternatives and the risks and benefits of these alternatives?
Will I wake up with the breathing tube in place?
Will I require a breathing tube?
What are the options for pain management after my procedure or surgery?
How can I avoid nausea and vomiting after surgery? What are the treatment options for this condition?

Source: https://www.theaba.org/