Use of smartphone among anaesthesilogist during anaesthesia interferes with patient care: A survey.

Abstract

Introduction: Usage of smart phones have become an integral part of the professional and personal lives of the population worldwide. Though the usage of smart phones applications has increased the efciency in the workplace, it can also be a signicant distraction to the patient care. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the use of smart phone among anesthetists during patient care improves or provides distraction in patient care. Results: The present study has shown that the prevalence of smart phone usage was 85.7%. The purpose of smart phone usage in increasing order of their frequency was internet surng, phone calls, Messaging and usage of social media. Only 33.3% of the hospitals in which the study participants work had smart phone usage restriction inside the operation theatre and 27.6% had restriction except for communications. Conclusion: Smartphone usage result in increased reaction time, decreased focus and reduced behavioural performance during cognitive tasks. Hence its usage has to be strictly needed basis during the intraoperative period.