Parents in the operating room

[dimanzella]

Hello! I am trying to find new trends in allowing parents into the operating room. I realize it has been a controversial subject for years but, with today's push for patient (and parental) satisfaction, I would think the trend would be rising.

How many work in facilities that allow (or even encourage) a parent to accompany their child into the operating room (regardless of whether it is helpful or not). I'm writing an article on the subject of PPIA (Parental Presence at Induction of Anesthesia) and would appreciate a little help from others in the trenches.

Thanks.

[brownbook]

We rarely let one parent put on a bunny suit and accompany the child to the OR. They may sometimes stay a few minutes, even watch the anesthesiologists give a little induction gas while the nurse puts in an IV, but that is really rare.

Sometimes it makes the child or parent more anxious if they go to the OR together. Most health care professionals prefer it not be done. It is a case by case issue. Often the child, even an older one, is not that concerned, it is the parents who are "freaking out". A nurse is designated to stay with the parent while they are in the OR and escort them out.

This is rarely done, it is totally up to the anesthesiologists to allow it. The surgeon may have some say, but most don't care, they defer to the anesthesiologist.

We have not had a problem if anesthesia refuses. Sometimes the parents are a little insistent but the anesthesiologists have dealt with this before and are able to dissuade the parent before anyone becomes too upset. (Even the anesthesiologists with "bad" bedside manners manage to deal with it in a calm diplomatic manner ).

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

No parents (or any outsiders) in the OR here. Personally, I don't want the responsibility of not only my patient but my patient's parents as well- watching to make sure they don't contaminate anything, having to catch them if they pass out...

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Have you tried searching your local children's hospital websites? A quick search of the three major Ontario children's hospitals; Toronto Sick kids, Children's Hospital in Eastern Ontario and the Children Hospital in London Ontario showed information on the parental presence at induction of anesthesia programs that are available at each hospital.

[offlabel]

Parents coming to the OR for routine elective stuff in children's hospitals is pretty routine these days. Not in small part because of "Child Life" services or departments. The child life specialists chaperone the parent after having prepared them appropriately for what they are about to see, hear, smell etc. Works most of the time and actually reduces the amount of sedation required for the child. Some departments even have an orientation class for parents on a day prior to the procedure.

Works pretty well by and large, but in all the years that I was involved in pediatric surgery I can't think of one parent that looked glad they witnessed what they did.