Stephen Kolb

Anesthesiologist

Mr. Stephen Kolb is an Anesthesiologist in Tarzana, CA with special training and skill in safely delivering acute and chronic pain relief through numbing and sedation. As an Anesthesiologist, Stephen Kolb performs general anesthesia and regional anesthetics. Anesthesiology is the field of medicine that controls pain during invasive procedures. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Anesthesiologists include sports injuries, musculoskeletal pain, labor, and surgery. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Anesthesiologists include pre-procedure evaluations, anesthesia delivery, patient monitoring, and recovery assistance.

An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an operation or an obstetric or diagnostic procedure. The anesthesiologist assesses the risk of the patient undergoing surgery and optimizes the patient's condition prior to, during and after surgery. In addition to these management responsibilities, the anesthesiologist provides medical management and consultation in pain management and critical care medicine. Anesthesiologists diagnose and treat acute, long-standing and cancer pain problems; diagnose and treat patients with critical illnesses or severe injuries; direct resuscitation in the care of patients with cardiac or respiratory emergencies, including the need for artificial ventilation; and supervise post-anesthesia recovery.

Hospice and Palliative Internal Medicine Practitioner

An internal medicine physician with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses. This specialist works with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to maximize quality of life while addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patient and family throughout the course of the disease, through the dying process, and beyond for the family. This specialist has expertise in the assessment of patients with advanced disease; the relief of distressing symptoms; the coordination of interdisciplinary patient and family-centered care in diverse venues; the use of specialized care systems including hospice; the management of the imminently dying patient; and legal and ethical decision making in end-of-life care.