Patient Comprehension, Retention and Satisfaction With Anesthesia Consent Process

Currently at UCMC consent for anesthesia is obtained verbally by qualified anesthesia providers. Later this year, the investigators will be moving to a written informed consent form for anesthesia that must be signed by patients before proceeded with elective surgery. The aim is to study patient satisfaction and retention of information presented before and after this change is made.

Study Procedures After consent for anesthesia is obtained, study personnel will approach patients >= 18 years of age scheduled for elective surgery and, after seeking verbal consent for this study, will administer a questionnaire which will assess patient satisfaction and retention of the risks that were presented.

Demographic data will be recorded, including age, sex, classification of surgery (by service), urgency of case, as well as role of person obtaining anesthesia consent (resident vs. CRNA/APN vs. attending anesthesiologist). Method of obtaining anesthesia consent will also be recorded. Patient identifiers, including name, MRN and date of birth will NOT be recorded as part of this study.

Patients will be approached for participation in this study preoperatively, in the pre-op holding area, immediately after anesthesia consent is obtained by the appropriate anesthesia provider. The patient's electronic medical record will NOT be accessed in order to pre-screen for participation no PHI will be collected in this study.