A questionnaire research on the practice of postoperative anaesthetic visits

Abstract

As early as in 1934 the idea and relevance of post anesthesia visits have been implemented, with the recommendation that anesthesiologists should follow up i.e.; visit their patients regularly in the first two days after surgery to obtain information about the patient’s condition. Sparse literature exists regarding the importance of post anaesthesia visits, currently there are no studies done on how post anaesthesia visits are performed and documented. To find a solution for these issues, we had conducted a questionnaire research on the practice of post anesthesia visits among anaesthesiologists.: The aim of this study is to know whether anesthesiologists does regular post operative anaesthesia visits and to know the importance of post anaesthesia visits.A validated; self-reported electronic questionnaire was used to collect the data from a total of 80 anaesthesiologists who willfully participated in the study. The questionnaire generated using Google forms was sent to consultant as well as resident anaesthesiologists including free-lance practitioners through electronic mail.90% of the participants were resident anaesthesiologists and the rest were consultants. 93.8% of the responders reported that post anaesthesia visits are mandatory at their work place. 91.3% of the participants significantly anaesthetize up to 4 cases on an average per day (p<0.001%). Most of the responders (93.8%) had responded that Post Anesthesia Visits is mandatory in their workplace and documentation of post anaesthesia visits are done mostly in the pre anaesthetic evaluation sheets. Post anaesthesia visits for all high-risk cases on daily basics shows a significant p value (p<0.001%). Daily post anaesthesia visits for all cases on the evening on the day of surgery (p<0.047%) for all cases anaesthetize by the responders for a minimum duration of 10 minutes per patient shows the significant p value (p<0.028%). Post anaesthesia visits are done on a daily basis and documented in pre anaesthetic evaluation sheets or daily progress charts helps in detecting adverse effects related to anaesthesia procedure.