Anesthesiologists - Anesthesiologists and Patient-informed Consent

Anesthesiologists and Patient-informed Consent

Patient-informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal principle and is considered essential to patient autonomy.The American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists, and other professional organizations, such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, support the principle that patients should be fully informed regarding the manner in which their anesthetic will be administered.

Due to medications given before, during and after surgery, a patient may sometimes not remember interacting with his or her anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, or anesthesiologist assistant, who will be involved in their anesthesia care. The anesthetic plan, as well as alternatives, risks, and benefits of the chosen anesthetic techniques, should be discussed with the patient prior to surgery. (This can be difficult or impossible in some situations, such as unconscious patients, confused patients, or extremely urgent cases. It may be possible to discuss matters with a patient's relative or caretaker.)