Surgery awareness refers to the level of consciousness a patient has during a surgical procedure. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the importance of surgery awareness both in terms of patient safety and in terms of patient satisfaction. This article is written on the importance and 9 benefits of awareness during surgery that you never considered.
What is Awareness During Surgery?
Being aware of surgery being carried out on you is a rare but potentially distressing condition where a patient is conscious or aware of what is happening during a surgical procedure. It can also be a traumatic experience for patients as they may feel pain, hear sounds or voices and be aware of their surroundings while they are able to move or communicate with the surgical team. Check out different types of surgeries you must know about.
Here are 9 Benefits of Awareness During Surgery:
1. Improves Patient Safety
Surgery awareness can help improve patient safety by allowing patients to communicate with their medical team during the procedure. This can help prevent complications and adverse events such as excessive bleeding, nerve damage or organ damage.
2. Better Pain Management
Surgery awareness can also help in pain management. When patients are awake during surgery, they can provide feedback on their level of pain which can help the medical team adjust their pain management strategies accordingly.
3. Reduces Anxiety and Fear
For some patients, being awake during surgery can help reduce anxiety and fear. This is because they can be reassured by their medical team and has a greater sense of control over the procedure.
4. Promotes Communications
When a patient is awake during surgery, they can communicate with their medical team which can help prevent errors and complications. For example, if the patient experiences pain or discomfort, they can inform the medical team who can adjust the anesthesia or other pain management measures accordingly. This communication can also help ensure that the surgical team is aware of any unexpected issues that may arise during the procedure.
5. Reduces Risk of Complications
Surgery awareness can help reduce the risk of complications associated with general anesthesia such as breathing problems, heart complications and allergic reactions. Patients who are awake during surgery may be able to breathe on their own thereby reducing the risk of complications associated with mechanical ventilation. Additionally, surgery awareness may reduce the need for powerful anesthesia drugs which can have adverse effects on the body.
6. Greater Sense of Control
Patients who are awake during surgery may feel a greater sense of control over their medical care. This sense of control can help reduce anxiety and improve overall patient satisfaction. Additionally, patients who are awake during surgery may be able to observe the procedure and ask questions which can help them understand their condition and treatment options.
7. Boosts Recovery Process
Surgery awareness can help reduce the time it takes for patients to recover from surgery. Patients who are awake during surgery may experience less postoperative nausea and vomiting which can delay recovery. Additionally, patients who are awake during surgery may require less time in the hospital thereby reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections and other complications.
8. Increases Patient Satisfaction
Patients who are awake during surgery may feel more informed and involved in their care leading to higher levels of satisfaction with the overall surgical experience.
9. More Accurate Diagnosis
In some cases, surgery awareness can also help with a more accurate diagnosis. For example, if a patient is awake during a neurological procedure, they may be able to provide feedback that helps the surgeon identify the exact location of a problem.
However, it’s important to note that surgery awareness is not always appropriate or safe for every patient or every surgical procedure.
The decision to use surgery awareness should be made on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration factors such as the patient’s medical history, the complexity of the procedure and the risks and benefits of the approach.
Patients should discuss the option of surgery awareness with their medical team before any procedure to determine if it is a viable option for them or not.
