Patient perception of monetary value to avoiding unpleasant side effects of anesthesia and surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine which monetary value patients place on decreasing or eliminating common side effects of anesthesia and surgery.


METHODS
Prospective questionnaire with visual analog scales.


METHODS
Preoperative holding area of a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
60 adult patients scheduled for general anesthesia.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Patients' perception of problems with previous general anesthetics and surgery and their concerns about the approaching surgery and anesthesia were recorded. Amounts (in US Dollars) that patients would be willing to pay to decrease by half or to eliminate nausea, emesis, sore throat, headache, and pain were also noted.


RESULTS
95% of the patients had previously undergone a general anesthetic, most without any problems. However, 47% of patients reported at least one problem with a previous general anesthetic, 33% had one or more concerns with the upcoming general anesthetic, and 32% would be willing to pay to decrease or eliminate one or more of these side effects. Patients who were willing to pay were more likely to have had problems or have concerns about side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Some patients would be willing to pay extra to avoid unpleasant side effects. This information can be used in quality and satisfaction surveys to justify to hospitals and payors the use of higher quality but more expensive anesthetic drugs.
Engoren
M
M
Department of Anesthesiology, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43608, USA. engoren@pol.net
Steffel
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires