What is the reasoning of giving someone who is getting general anesthesia a benzodiazipine first?

Question

Why give a patient MORE sedation when they're going to be knocked out anyway? Makes no sense to me at all. I have to adamantly refuse this every time I've had surgery. It gets old after a while. Who cares if you "remember" the procedure or "hear beeps" or "see the Dr?"

I can understand if the patient is a nervous wreck before the procedure or surgery and they ASK for something to calm them down, but when someone is FINE and adamantly refusing this, and would LIKE to know what is going on and not be a compliant zombie, why do they have to fight tooth and nail not to be drugged?

I'm sure it must have something to do with money...the more they pump you up with the more profit they can get from the insurance companies....who care's about the patient's rights? Seems to me like no one does anymore and it's sickening.

Answer 1

Wow, Why not discuss this with your Doctor before going in to surgery, and come to some agreement or understanding before you proceed. with the surgery  You do have a right to get a second opinion and find yourself another Doctor or Surgeon that has a better profile, and is more understanding. Or is this a requirement of the Anesthesiologist ? You should be able to select another one that will not use that procedure if available

Answer 2

It's not for the money.  The hospital and doc receive little and no money (respectively) for the med.  Benzos do a couple things.  They help the patient waiting in the anesthesia area not stress out so much, and make the transition to the OR less stressful as well.  This is mostly a patient comfort issue, but also helps reduce hypertension, tachycardia and other autonomic reactions to stress, which can create problems for the anesthesia team, and ultimately the patient.  I don't think they make intubation easier since the patient is usually out and paralyzed before being intubated.  I am unaware that they reduce post-op nausea, but that is possible and I will accept the ICU nurse's opinion on that.  

I think a lot of docs do it out of habit and convenience (theirs) because anxious patients are in distress and distress the OR team.  Most docs and nurses really are human and want to cause the least pain possible :)  But they are optional in most cases, just as they are with the dentist (who also use a lot of them - or nitrous oxide).  If you prefer not to have them, and think you will be relaxed enough, then ask you anesthesia provider in the pre-op appointment not to use them.  More power to you and your courage.  On the other hand, the tiny additional sedation (relative to the anesthesia) should not make you afraid of them either.  They are, on the whole, an added benefit more than a risk.

Answer 3

I would like to offer you another view of the whole benzo prior to general anesthesia.  First let me assure you that money is not an issue, in fact hospitals get reinbursed VERY little from the insurance companies for such medication administrations, and these drugs tend to be very inexpensive anyway.  Second, are you refering to a pill given to you prior to the OR or and IV administered by the health care professional.  Either way and benzo will help to relax some of you autonomic reflexed when faced with a situtation that may produce anxiety. secondly it can reduce the risk of vomiting your stomach content when you are asleep and aquiring an aspiration pneumonia.  The whole intubation process can be painful and frightening.  I say take the med, it is not going to hurt you, by the way people are in the health care field to help you not to harm you.  

From an ICU RN, recovering individuals from surgery daily, RN the greatest job on earth :-}

Good luck!