[rnsince83]

Re an article from the Washington Post by Sandra G Boodman:
"Patients recall awareness during surgery--One awoke to a pain 'like being buried alive.'" I have heard recent rumbles about this phenomenon, but never understood what actually happens and the implications until I read this very thorough (and lengthy) article. JACHO has issued an advisory alert calling on hospitals to "educate their staffs, as well as high-risk patients about the problem; to take steps to prevent it by properly maintaining equipment and using 'appropriate available monitoring technology'; and to devise policies that deal swiftly and compassionately with affected patients, including providing them access to mental health treatment." I think the key word here is "compassionate." I for one, am not undergoing surgery ever again without addressing this issue; I will be asking if a bispectral index monitor will be used during surgery. Anything less would be possibly subjecting patients to an Edgar Allen Poe type scenario.