A Study on Needs of the Spinal anesthesia Patients

Nam, Soung Mi; Kim, Myung Hee

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the needs which were perceived by patients who were received spinal anesthesia for surgery. The subjects consisted of 50 adult patients who were admitted to 2 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals in Pusan city and 1 general hospital in Koje City for surgery under spinal anesthesia. Thirty eight percent of subjects received information about anesthesia before the operation. The instrument for this study was developed by the researcher based on literature and a pretest. Data were collected from December 10, 1999 to February 10, 2000 and were analyzed by content analysis. The results were that there were 533 meaningful statements in the needs of spinal anesthesia patients. The needs of spinal anesthesia patients had 51 items (preoperation (6), induction of nesthesia(5), intraoperation (27), postoperation(13)) and 6 categories (information, emotional welfare, physical welfare, post anesthetic management, control of physical environment, humane treatment). From the results, it can be concluded that: 1. In the pre-operation period, we have to explain anesthesia procedures, adequate position of anesthesia, duration before anesthesia wears off and sensation of paralysis. We have to supply emotional support to relieve anxiety because of anesthesia. 2. In induction of anesthesia, we have to support patient's position for anesthesia, and relieve anxiety so that patients participate in induction of anesthesia well. 3. In intra-operative period, we have to check the level of anesthesia, and keep up a comfortable position for operation and care for physical discomfort such as thirst, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea and to maintain body temperature of the patient. Since the patient is conscious, we have to communicate with the patient to relieve anxiety, maintain privacy, inform the patient of the process of the operation and encourage the surgeon to explain the outcome of the operation. The operating team needs the careful about what they say and to place the instrument well. We have to ventilate the room air and reduce noise. 4. In the post-operative period, we have to explain the purpose and duration of bed rest, complications of anesthesia and care for physical discomfort such as pain, dysuria, headache, backache. Also we have to maintain body temperature of the patient and maintain privacy.