STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anesthesia issues involved in caring for mentally handicapped outpatients. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: University-affiliated outpatient ambulatory center. PATIENTS: Twenty adult patients scheduled for gynecological procedures. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Data collection sheet was used to record patients' age, ASA status, procedure, premedication, intravenous placement, degree of agitation, airway control, induction (method and drugs), intraoperative anesthesia care, postoperative medications, total time in hospital, postanesthesia care unit time and disposition. MAIN RESULTS: Agitation was present in 100% of the patients. A significant number of these patients were ASA III, needing oral or intramuscular sedation (35%) or mask induction prior to placement of an intravenous line. Severely agitated patients had the longest stays in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). CONCLUSIONS: Agitation was the main reason why 90% of the patients required intubation for relatively minor procedures. Agitation was the main factor leading to prolonged recovery room time.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anesthesia issues involved in caring for mentally handicapped outpatients. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: University-affiliated outpatient ambulatory center. PATIENTS: Twenty adult patients scheduled for gynecological procedures. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Data collection sheet was used to record patients' age, ASA status, procedure, premedication, intravenous placement, degree of agitation, airway control, induction (method and drugs), intraoperative anesthesia care, postoperative medications, total time in hospital, postanesthesia care unit time and disposition. MAIN RESULTS:Agitation was present in 100% of the patients. A significant number of these patients were ASA III, needing oral or intramuscular sedation (35%) or mask induction prior to placement of an intravenous line. Severely agitated patients had the longest stays in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). CONCLUSIONS:Agitation was the main reason why 90% of the patients required intubation for relatively minor procedures. Agitation was the main factor leading to prolonged recovery room time.