Patient’s Perceptions on Complications and Practices When Receiving Spinal Anesthesia in Songklanagarind Hospital

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Spinal anesthesia makes anxiety to the patients because of the numbness of the lower body as well as complications. The perception of complications has never been investigated. This study aimed to determine the level of perception of self-behavior and complications of patients when receiving spinal anesthesia.

Methods: A descriptive survey study was conducted in 410 patients underwent elective surgery and received spinal anesthesia between March 2021 to January 2022 at Songklanagarind Hospital.The questionnaire with 1- 5 Likert’s scale on the perception of self-behavior and complications was performed. The reliability of the tool was determined by the Cronbach method. Alpha coefficient reliability was 0.93

Results: The mean perception on self-behavior of spinal anesthesia was very good (4.51 ± 1.00). The highest perception score was the perception that food and water was not allowed for 8 hours (4.86 ± 0.45). The lowest score was the perception that sharp or hot objects should not be placed on the numb body (3.89 ± 1.37). The mean perception on complications of spinal anesthesia was good (4.43±1.08. The best score was the perception that pain killer could be requested (4.81 ± 0.64). The perception that shivering might be occurred had the lowest score (4.14 ± 1.22).

Conclusions: Overall the patient's perception of complications and self-behavior were high. The perception on postoperative self-behavior by avoiding to place hot objects or touch sharp objects on the numb body area and perception of shivering after spinal anesthesia were lowest score.