Private patients are subject to rules or principles spelled out in the contract with the payer or in the anesthesia group s own compliance program. There is no definition of critical or key portions in the rules themselves. This is no different than the participation required of an anesthesiologist who, for example, is medically directing regional anesthesia for hip surgery. The attending should also personally check on the obstetric patient at intervals indicated by her risk level. Anesthesia time ends when the anesthesiologist has turned the patient over to recovery room personnel.
Many practices define the end of a labor epidural as coinciding with delivery.
The anesthesiologist is of course required to provide indicated postoperative care, which generally involves a visit after the patient has recovered from the effects of the epidural.