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Case report: an unforeseen peril of parental presence during induction of anesthesia
Yewande J Johnson1, Michael Nickerson, Zenaide M N Quezado
1Division of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Children's National Medical Center 111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010, USA. yjohnson@cnmc.org
Insights
Parental presence during anesthesia induction can reduce pediatric anxiety. However, this case highlights the rare risk of parental interruption, necessitating better preparation for such events.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Anesthesia
- Perioperative Care
Background:
- Parental presence is a common strategy to mitigate anxiety in children undergoing anesthesia.
- Managing parental involvement requires careful consideration in pediatric perioperative settings.
Observation:
- This report details the first documented instance of parental interruption during the induction of anesthesia.
- The interruption occurred in a pediatric patient requiring anesthesia.
Findings:
- Unexpected familial disruption can occur during anesthesia induction.
- Such events pose unique challenges for anesthesia providers.
Implications:
- Anesthesiologists must implement robust perioperative screening and education for families.
- Contingency planning is essential to manage potential disruptions during pediatric inductions and other procedures.
- Proactive measures can improve patient safety and the overall perioperative experience.
Abstract:
Parental presence during induction of anesthesia is a common practice to allay perioperative anxiety in the pediatric population. We present the first documented case in the anesthesia literature of parental interruption of induction of anesthesia. The report is to inform practitioners of the need for perioperative screening, education, and contingency planning to prepare for the possibility of familial disruption during pediatric inductions, cesarean deliveries, and other practice settings that may have lay people present.
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