Complementary and alternative medicine use by surgical patients.

This national multisite study examined complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by surgical patients during the two weeks preceding their surgery. A simple descriptive design consisting of anonymous self-report questionnaires was used to measure CAM use and determine participant demographics. A purposive sample of adult, English-speaking, elective outpatients from 16 hospitals representing seven US regions was used. Data were collected randomly at each site. Sixty-seven percent of participants disclosed use of all types of CAM; 27% consumed herbs, 39% used dietary supplements, 54% took vitamins, and 1% reported use of homeopathics. Thirty-four percent of participants reported using CAMs that potentially can interact with anesthetics and inhibit coagulation. The results of this study suggest that perioperative nurses should encourage patients to disclose CAM use and should educate patients about anesthetic interactions that may contribute to bleeding.