Objective: This project aims to evaluate areas for improvement in the informed consent process for peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) performed by the department of anesthesiology faculty and residents.
Background and Rationale: Ideal informed consent for PNBs should occur in the pre-operative period prior to the administration of sedating medications and general anesthesia while patients have adequate decision-making capacity. Yet the intraoperative anesthesiologist typically preforms informed consent despite not being a part of the regional anesthesia (RA) team. As such, there is concern that patients are not engaged in an adequate expectation setting and risk-benefit discussion preoperatively.
Design and Methods: We surveyed the RA faculty, general anesthesia faculty and anesthesia residents to assess what is currently being included in informed consent for PNB vs. what the RA experts would describe as critical to the consent process. Results and
Learning Outcomes: We found gaps in two main areas: (1) general faculty and residents can improve their risk discussion for PNB, specifically as it pertains to pre-existing nerve damage; and (2) improve accurate expectations regarding when/if a patient will safely qualify for a PNB.
Conclusions and/or Lessons Learned: In response to these findings, we provided residents and faculty with resources and education, including an exemplary PNB consent script, to aid in comprehensive and accurate informed consent.
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Improving Education for Informed Consent of Peripheral Nerve Blocks by Bianca E. Rich, Maegan Tupinio, MD & Emily Drennan, MD