Risks and Benefits and Consent for Anesthesia

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I think Rhon1991's post actually brings up a more interesting question than just that of mortality.

What do you typically tell the patient in regards to risks and benefits related to the anesthetic they are about to receive.

I find the consent process to be a little funny, as it is basically coersion. The patient is there for a procedure, and will probably not get the procedure without saying yes to the anesthesia.

So what do you tell the patient?

Craig

I will follow up with my own pitch later, as I have to run.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

http://www.gaspasser.com/rap.html

!

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Hey, nilepoc-just wanted to know someone else misses your blog!!

Anyway, as far as consent I know it differs but my question is this: Where I work there is a MDA/CRNA group. The MDA visits the pt in preop or preadmitting or in their inpt room the day before and does the anesthesia eval form and gets all the consents. Then, the day of surgery the CRNA usu. verifies preop stuff (name, type of surgery, anesthesia hx, med hx) but doesn't go over consents at all (other than to verify that they are completed). Most of the time the MDA getting prior consent is also not the supervising MDA day of surgery. What, in your opinion, is the CRNA liability for that type of consent? Is it because of the MDA supervision??? Just curious...

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Yes, the CRNA is liable, because he/she is the one providing the anesthesia. You are responsible for everything that goes on with that patient not only during surgery but up to 72 hours postop give or take a day depending on the state.

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just an enlightening (or should i say frightening) story

in the OR the other day....one of the MDA's (who at my site do all the h&p's and consents) told the patient....."risks to anesthesia include everything under the sun...the more meds we give, the more risks...sign here"

the CRNA i was w/ was horrified...so was i....the prep nurse asked the pt if she understood what he said...she said no, but i don't want to either...and signed.... unbelievable!!

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Yeah, it's unbelievable. What freaks me out is that we are reliable for the mistakes the surgeon makes, because we allowed the surgeon to perform a procedure outside of the consent. It's all about CYA!

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