RECALL OF RISKS FOLLOWING LABOR EPIDURAL ANALGESIA

Study Objective: To ascertain patients' recall of the risks of labor e pidural analgesia from a discussion of informed consent during active labor. Design: Survey analysis following an intervention. Setting: Lab or and delivery unit of a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Patients: 1 01 ASA physical status I and II parturients in active labor. Intervent ions: Patients were given a standardized discussion of the risks of la bor epidural analgesia. Measurements and Main Results: Within 24 hours of the informed consent discussion, patients were first asked to reca ll risks, and then asked to identify risks from a true and false list. Patients recalled 2.0 +/- 1.3 risks (mean +/- SD), with 12% recalling at least four risks, 37% recalling at least three risks, 66% recallin g at least two risks, and 87% recalling at least one risk. There was n o difference in level of recall between primiparas and multiparas, or in patients with mild and moderate pain scores versus those patients w ith severe pain scores. Conclusions: Recall of risks by parturients is similar to the recall of risks by other patients, and if does not app ear to be affected by parity or the reported level of pain. (C) 1998 b y Elsevier Science Inc.