Mindfulness is being fully aware and attentive on a moment-to-moment basis – non-judgmentally and with openness. “Mindlessness” is common when people are multitasking, distracted, depressed, stressed, overloaded and hurried – the typical day for an anesthesiologist. In the May 2010 ASA NEWSLETTER, Lynda Wells, M.D., described the benefits of mindfulness in terms of awareness, stress management, improved mood, decreased burnout, slowing the aging process and prolonging life. Mindfulness-based interventions have grown exponentially in recent years.1 This article focuses on practical tips, strategies and applications of mindfulness in the operating room (O.R.) for the benefit of the patient and the anesthesia provider.
Patient: As anesthesiologists, we pride ourselves on being attentive. Our presence in the O.R. is necessary for optimizing patient safety. Yet physical presence is insufficient, as we need to be fully present mentally as well. Attentional fluctuations have large and complex effects on performance. Attention may greatly...
