Anesthesia Provider's Use of the Precordial or Esophageal Stethoscope: Is Anyone Still Listening to the Patient
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the utilization rate of the precordial or esophageal stethoscope among anesthesia providers. Stethoscope utilization rates were determined through the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected through random observations of anesthesia providers while they provided uninterrupted anesthesia care. Anesthesiologists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNA) comprised the group of anesthesia providers observed. Fifty observations (N=50) were conducted that not only focused on the use of a precordial or esophageal stethoscope, but also on the use of electronic monitoring equipment. Of these 50 observations an average overall stethoscope utilization rate of 68% was observed. Specifically, 0% of the anesthesiologists (n=4), 9. 1% of the CRNAs (n= 11), and 94.3% of the SRNAs (n=35) who were observed used a precordial or esophageal stethoscope. Qualitative data were analyzed from five interviews conducted with randomly selected anesthesia providers. Two anesthesiologists and three CRNAs were permitted to participate in these interviews. The interview questions were designed to elicit theanesthesia provider's thoughts and feelings as they pertained to the precordial or esophageal stethoscope and to elicit responses that could be related to clinical practice. From those anesthesia providers interviewed, 40% stated they utilized one of these specialized stethoscopes to assess a patient's respiratory and circulatory status during the administration of an anesthetic. Eighty percent of those interviewed felt it was unacceptable to discontinue the routine use of these specialized stethoscopes and 40% of those interviewed stated that they would rely on one of these stethoscopes to monitor a patient's status in the absence of electronic monitoring equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- AD1011505
Entities
People
- William Jr D. Bruening
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences