Raising Awareness on Awareness – a Systematic Approach to Patient Care

Authors

  • Daniel Rodrigues Alves Anesthesiology Department Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental – Lisboa, Portugal.
  • Cláudia Carvalho Anesthesiology Department Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental – Lisboa, Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.4074

Keywords:

Anesthesiology, Awareness, Intraoperative Complications, Mental Recall, Monitoring, Intraoperative

Abstract

Introduction: Despite a progressive decline since the 1960s, awareness with recall remains a rare but important complication in modern anaesthetic practice. Many predisposing factors have already been suggested and research continues, but its low incidence makes it difficult to find properly sized studies capable of providing a sound scientific basis to the current ideas on the matter.

Materials and Methods; We have conducted a literature review aiming to identify risk factors for awareness and corresponding preventative strategies.

Results: Besides identifying risk factors for awareness, current research shows that human error or equipment malfunction is frequently involved in these cases.

Discussion: Though further studies are necessary to understand all the intricacies of this complication it stands to reason that, rather than simply awaiting for new developments, every anaesthesiologist should analyse the existing evidence to be more proactive in preventing this complication.

Conclusion: With this in mind, the current article draws on the current literature to suggest a systematic, structured protocol to approach patients at greatest risk, aiming for excellence in care.

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Author Biographies

Daniel Rodrigues Alves, Anesthesiology Department Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental – Lisboa, Portugal.

Anesthesiology resident.

Cláudia Carvalho, Anesthesiology Department Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental – Lisboa, Portugal.

Anesthesiologist.

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Published

2014-04-01

How to Cite

Alves, D. R., & Carvalho, C. (2014). Raising Awareness on Awareness – a Systematic Approach to Patient Care. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Anesthesiology, 23(2), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.4074

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Narrative Reviews

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