Anesthesiologists' Preferences regarding Visitor Presence during Placement of Neuraxial Labor Analgesia

Introduction Neuraxial labor analgesia has become an integral part of modern obstetric anesthetic practice. Presence of a familiar person during its placement may be beneficial to the patient. A survey was sent to anesthesiologists practicing obstetric anesthesia in the USA to determine their views. Methods The survey queried the following: existence of a written policy; would they allow a visitor; visitor's view, sitting or standing; reasons to allow or not allow a visitor; and influence by other staff on the decision. The responses were analyzed using multiple chi-square analyses. Results Most practitioners supported allowing a visitor during placement. Reduction of patient anxiety and fulfillment of patient request were the major reasons for allowing a visitor. Sitting position and no view of the workspace were preferred. Visitor interference and safety were cited as the major reasons for precluding a visitor. Nonanesthesia providers rarely influenced the decision. Epidural analgesia was the preferred technique. Essentially no bias was found in the responses; there was statistical uniformity regardless of procedures done per week, years in practice, professional certification, geographic region (rural, urban, or suburban), or academic, private, or government responders. Conclusion The practice of visitor presence during the placement of neuraxial labor analgesia is gaining acceptance.

On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you … On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you … On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analges ia do you perform per week? * If no policy existed, would you be open to allowing a patient's visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia?
On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you … On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you …  On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you … If you allowed a visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia, you would want the visitor to be positioned such that, On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analges ia do you perform per week? * What would be your single most i mportant reason for allowing a patient's visitor in the room durin g placement of neuraxial labor analgesia? On an average, how many neuraxial procedures for labor analgesia do you perform per week?

Does not matter
Visitor has partial view of workspace (but cannot see patien

Visitor has no view of procedure (patient is in between anes
If you allowed a visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia, you would want the visitor to be positioned such that, How many years have you been practicing as an attending anest hesiologist? * What would be your single most important reason f or allowing a patient's visitor in the room during placement of ne uraxial labor analgesia?

Does not matter
Visitor has partial view of workspace (but cannot see patien

Visitor has no view of procedure (patient is in between anes
If you allowed a visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia, you would want the visitor to be positioned such that,

What is your qualification ? * How often has another non anesthes ia member of the labor and delivery team (for example obstetric ian or nurse) attempted to influence your decision to have a visit or present during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia?
How often has another non anesthesia member of the labor and delivery team (for example obstetrician or nurse) attempted to influence your decision to have a visitor ...

Does not matter
Visitor has partial view of workspace (but cannot see patien

Visitor has no view of procedure (patient is in between anes
If you allowed a visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia, you would want the visitor to be positioned such that, Which region of USA do you practice in ? * What would be your si ngle most important reason for allowing a patient's visitor in the room during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia? What is the setting of your practice ? * How often has another non anesthesia member of the labor and delivery team (for example obstetrician or nurse) attempted to influence your decision to ha ve a visitor present during placement of neuraxial labor analgesi a? Describe the nature of your practice ? * What is your preferred te chnique for neuraxial labor analgesia in an otherwise healthy par turient?
Describe the nature of your practice ? How often has another non anesthesia member of the labor and delivery team (for example obstetrician or nurse) attempted to influence your decision to have a visitor present during placement of neuraxial labor analgesia?
Describe the nature of your practice ? * How often has another n on anesthesia member of the labor and delivery team (for exampl e obstetrician or nurse) attempted to influence your decision to NOT have a visitor present during placement of neuraxial labor a nalgesia?
Describe the nature of your practice ?