Patient communication during cataract surgery.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Patient Safety
• Surgical Communication

Background:

• Cataract surgery is frequently performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
• Patient immobility is crucial during conscious intraocular procedures.
• Effective communication between patient and surgeon is vital for managing unexpected movements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an electronic patient-controlled alert device for perioperative communication.
• To compare the electronic alert device with traditional nurse hand-holding.
• To assess patient anxiety and satisfaction with different communication methods.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 150 patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anesthesia.
• Three communication groups: nurse hand-holding, electronic alert device, and both methods.
• Assessment of pre- and postoperative state anxiety, patient satisfaction, confidence, pain, understanding, and reassurance.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in anxiety levels, confidence, pain, understanding, satisfaction, memory, or reassurance were found between the groups.
• 46% of patients reported experiencing issues during surgery.
• Electronic alert device was as effective as nurse hand-holding for patient communication.

Conclusions:

• An electronic patient alert device is a safe and effective alternative to nurse hand-holding for perioperative communication in cataract surgery.
• The device provides reassurance and enables direct patient-surgeon communication.
• It ensures patient needs are communicated promptly during local anesthesia procedures.