THE BENEFITS OF THE EXPLANATION OF THE RISKS OF ANESTHESIA IN THE DAYSURGERY PATIENT

Study Objective: To ascertain the benefits of the preoperative discuss ion of the risks of anesthesia with parents of ASA status I or II pedi atric day surgery patients. Design: Survey analysis. Setting: Pediatri c day surgery unit. Patients: 54 parents of ASA status I or II pediatr ic day surgery patients between the ages of 7 months and 16 years. Int erventions: After informed consent for the anesthetic was obtained by a member of the anesthesiology team, the parent(s) were given a questi onnaire on their feelings about the explanation of the risks of anesth esia. Measurements and Main Results: The questionnaire evaluated how p arents felt about their understanding of the risks of anesthesia, the effect of hearing the risks of anesthesia on their anxiety levels, and the benefits of hearing the risks of anesthesia. Over 90% of the pare nts felt that they understood the risks of anesthesia, that the discus sion of the risks would have no effect on their decision to proceed wi th surgery, and that the explanation of the risks is desirable; 92% co nsidered the explanation desirable either out of a sense of responsibi lity or because they welcomed better understanding. Conclusions: Our s tudy suggests the benefits of the explanation of the risks of anesthes ia appear to be rooted in satisfying parental responsibility and under standing, and not in providing information for decision making or anxi ety relief. Anesthesiologists should not feed compelled to always deta il all the risks, but should seek to satisfy individual parental needs .