Physical Changes of Patients Entering the Operating Room from the General Ward on Foot

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physical changes of patients entering the operating room (OR) by one of the following methods : walk-in method on foot, transportation by wheeled-stretcher and transportation by wheel-chair. One of the three methods were assigned to patients without premedication from the general ward to the OR (on foot) group W : group S, by wheeled-stretcher ; and group C, by wheel-chair. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse-rate (PR) were measured both in the ward and the OR. Upon arrival at the OR they were interviewed regarding their anxiety and satisfaction. Medical staff, nurses and anesthesiologists were also interviewed on their impressions of the methods of entering the OR. BP was significantly increased in all groups on arriving in the OR. PR significantly increased in group W (n=70) and C (n=92). There was no difference in the rate of patients who felt anxiety on entering the OR among three groups. Medical staff members felt the walk-in method and wheel-chair method were better than by wheeled-stretcher. We conclude that the walk-in method may produce significant physical changes and that the wheel-chair method is clinically applicable enough both for patients and staff members.