Patient Expectations and Experiences of Level of Consciousness During Regional Anesthesia: an Observational Study at Hua Hin Hospital

Authors

  • Pornchanan Duriyaprapan, M.D. Department of Anesthesiology, Hua Hin Hospital, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Abstract

Background:  There is a concern respecting intraoperative level of consciousness during regional anesthesia. Patients often expect complete unconsciousness due to misinterpreting what regional anesthesia accomplishes. Consequently, this unfulfilled experience could affect the patient’s overall satisfaction. This study aimed to assess patients’ expectation regarding level of consciousness during regional anesthesia compared with their actual experience and associated factors. Satisfaction toward provided anesthetic care was evaluated likewise.

Method: A prospective observational study was conducted with 130 patients from April - June 2017. A structured questionnaire was administered to patients who received neuraxial block for an elective surgical procedure, after discharge from recovery room. Statistical data were analyzed by SPSS version 18.

Results: Semi-consciousness was the most frequent anticipated experience by patients. Eighty-six patients (66%) had their expectation set by the anesthesiologist/ anesthesia provider. According to univariate analysis, preoperative anxiety and perioperative comfort were associated with having at least 4-point difference between expected and experienced level of consciousness (p=0.03 and 0.029 respectively). In addition, source of expectation also correlated with overall anesthetic experiences significantly (p=0.005).

Conclusions: Despite the fact that semi-consciousness could be anticipated during regional anesthesia, anesthesiologists and anesthesia providers, as a primary source of expectation regarding level of consciousness, should communicate expectations thoroughly, providing complete knowledge to the patient accordingly.

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Published

2018-05-11

How to Cite

1.
Duriyaprapan P. Patient Expectations and Experiences of Level of Consciousness During Regional Anesthesia: an Observational Study at Hua Hin Hospital. Reg 4-5 Med J [internet]. 2018 May 11 [cited 2026 Feb. 22];37(1):34-4. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/reg45/article/view/123258

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Original Article