Preoperative risk clarification and anesthesia disclosure by telephone conversation

Abstract

Preoperative risk stratification, patient optimization and anesthesia disclosure are mostly carried out in the preanesthesia outpatient department in a direct conversation between physician and patient. The aim of this article is a description of the preanesthesia telephone contact as an alternative disclosure and clarification option for the clinical practice. After clarification of data protection and medicolegal aspects, experiences with providing information via telephone in a single center were gathered. Initially, before spinal operations pain patients with unreasonably long access routes to the preanesthesia outpatient department received clarification and disclosure via the telephone. Due to the effectiveness and the lack of medical and processual complications, after 1 year the offer of a telephone conversation was extended to all patients. In the meantime, 47% of preanesthesia conversations are now carried out by telephone. Factors relevant for success are the consent of the patient to a telephone conversation, a multimedia patient education before the telephone conversation, competence of the anesthetist in communication, documentation and a clearly defined description of the process including changeover to the direct conversation. The preanesthesia telephone conversation is suitable as an alternative to the preanesthesia conversation in the outpatient department. High patient satisfaction results from the patient-oriented process, avoidance of transportation routes and the participative communication.