O Consentimento Informado nas técnicas anestésicas: estudo exploratório.

Abstract

Introduction: In the literature the assumptions about Informed consent (IC) is well established, including to anesthetic acts. However, literature that explores the different stages and the conditions under which the IC for anesthetic practices is obtained, is scarce. In this context, the aim of the present study is to explore the phases and conditions of IC in anesthesiology. Material and Methods: Clinical records of 325 patients submitted to anesthetic procedures at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto were analyzed. We explored anonymized information regarding: surgical procedure; moment on time of pre-anesthetic consultation; anesthetic technique established in the IC and anesthetic technique applied; anesthesiologist who obtained the IC is the one who performed the technique. Frequencies and Pearson chi-square were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and thirteen patients were proposed for general anesthesia. With 364 patients, IC was obtained in the day before surgery. A total agreement between the anesthetic techniques established in the IC and those performed, was reach with 270 patients. In 295 patients, the anesthetist who obtain the IC was not the same that applied the technique. Discussion: The importance of IC in clinical practice is discussed, namely the broad scope to which it is obtained and the implications of being obtained by a different professional than the one who performs the technique, although it does not seem that produce major inconsistencies in the techniques applied. Conclusion: A broad IC can compromise the understanding by the patient. In addition, different professionals throughout the process could compromise the patient's confidence in the procedure.