Informed consent for epidural analgesia in labour: a survey of UK practice

• Published in: Anaesthesia Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 161 - 164
• Main Authors: Middle, J. V., Wee, M. Y. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2009; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Analgesia, Epidural - adverse effects; Analgesia, Epidural - ethics; Analgesia, Obstetrical - adverse effects; Analgesia, Obstetrical - ethics; Analgesics; Anesthesia; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Anesthesiology; Biological and medical sciences; Childbirth & labor; Female; Health Care Surveys; Health education; Humans; Informed consent; Informed Consent - statistics & numerical data; Labor, Obstetric; Medical sciences; Patient Education as Topic; Pregnancy; Professional Practice - statistics & numerical data; Risk Assessment - methods; United Kingdom; Extradural; Analgesia; Anesthesia; Informed consent
• ISSN: 0003-2409; 1365-2044
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2008.05679.x

Summary Anaesthetists are legally obliged to obtain informed consent before performing regional analgesia in labour. A postal survey of consultant‐led UK anaesthetic units was performed in September 2007 to assess practice regarding obtaining informed consent before inserting an epidural, and documentation of the risks discussed. The response rate was 72% (161/223). There was great variation between units regarding which risks women were informed about and the likely incidence of that risk. One hundred and twenty‐three respondents out of 157 providing an epidural service (78%) supported a national standardised information card endorsed by the Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association, with all the benefits and risks stated, to be shown to all women before consenting to an epidural in labour.