Preadmission anaesthesia consultation in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Inquiry of patients' and anaesthetists' satisfaction

Objective: To assess the quality of the preadmission anaesthetic consultati on prior to cardiovascular and thoracic surgery with a satisfaction inquiry . Study design: Prospective study with a questionnaire, extended over a perio d of two months. Persons: Patients and anaesthetists of the cardiothoracic surgical service. Methods: The inquiry, which took place after completion of the consultation was achieved by a person non member of the staff. Anaesthetists were quest ioned on the medical content, its exhaustive character and its value for th e patient's perioperative care. Results: Out of the 273 patients included in the study, 121 agreed to answe r the questionnaire. Participation in the study was more significant in old er patients (58 +/- 20 vs 51 +/- 24 years) and following shorter waiting ti me (WT) [15 +/- 13 (0-60) vs 25 +/- 18 (0-66) min]. The duration of the con sultation (DC) was not different between the two groups [29 +/- 12 (8-70) v s 31 +/- 14 (6-75).min]. However patients' participation increased when the DC exceeded by 0,6 the sum of DC and WT [DC > 0,6 (DC+WT)]. The analogic s core (AS) assessing reduction in preoperative anxiety was 8.4 +/- 1.5 (2-10 ). Finally, 108 patients out of 121 considered to have been well informed a bout the anaesthetic [AS = 8.7 +/- 1.2 (4-10)], 113 considered the preadmis sion consultation as a useful procedure [AS = 8.6 +/- 1.5 (2-10)]) and for 41 a personalized follow-up by the same anaesthetist was valuable. Only thr ee operations had to be postponed the day before surgery. One third of the anaesthetists considered that the consultation improved the clinical and th erapeutic management of the patients. Conclusion: This inquiry showed that the preadmission anaesthesia consultat ion was considered as benefitful by patients and anaesthetists. However the participation of patients in this study was poor. Subsequently to the inqu iry information forms have been produced and handed to the patient prior to the consultation. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SA S.