[Anesthesia consultation in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. A survey of patient and physician satisfaction].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of the preadmission anaesthetic consultation prior to cardiovascular and thoracic surgery with a satisfaction inquiry.


METHODS
Prospective study with a questionnaire, extended over a period of two months.


METHODS
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 questioned on the medical content, its exhaustive character and its value for the patient's perioperative care.


RESULTS
Out of the 273 patients included in the study, 121 agreed to answer the questionnaire. Participation in the study was more significant in older patients (58 +/- 20 vs 51 +/- 24 years) and following shorter waiting time (WT) [15 +/- 13 (0-60) vs 25 +/- 18 (0-66) min]. The duration of the consultation (DC) was not different between the two groups [29 +/- 12 (8-70) vs 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 score (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 about the anaesthetic [AS = 8.7 +/- 1.2 (4-10)], 113 considered the preadmission 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 three operations had to be postponed the day before surgery. One third of the anaesthetists considered that the consultation improved the clinical and therapeutic management of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This inquiry showed that the preadmission anaesthesia consultation was considered as benefitful by patients and anaesthetists. However the participation of patients in this study was poor. Subsequently to the inquiry information forms have been produced and handed to the patient prior to the consultation.
Védrinne
C
C
Service d'anesthésie réanimation, hôpital cardiovasculaire et pneumologique Louis-Pradel, Lyon, France.
Laroux
M C
MC
Blanc
P
P
Durand
P G
PG
George
M
M
Lehot
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000776:Anesthesiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D013997:Time Factors
Consultation d'anesthésie de chirurgie cardiovasculaire et thoracique. Enquête de satisfaction des patients et des médecins.