Anesthesia Provider Perspectives of Preoperative Music-Listening as a Means for Anxiolysis Among Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that the majority of patients undergoing a surgical procedure experience some level of preoperative anxiety. However, outside of the administration of anxiolytic medications and the preoperative interview, the majority of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) do not utilize nonpharmacologic methods for preoperative anxiolysis among the geriatric patient population, such as music-listening. In turn, placing these patients at risk for either the consequences of untreated anxiety or receiving anxiolytic medications that may place them at increased risk for postoperative delirium (POD). The purpose of this DNP project was to assess existing CRNA perspectives and practices, at a 200-bed Phoenix. AZ teaching hospital, regarding the use of preoperative music-listening among geriatric patients as a means for anxiolysis and to assess changes in perspective after an educational presentation. Participants (N=7) included CRNAs working within this 200-bed facility. The methodology consisted of pretest/posttest individually recorded interviews with varying question styles. Results showed that this DNP project demonstrated that CRNAs are aware of music-listening as a means for preoperative anxiolysis, but knowledge gaps regarding its use and the consequences of using anxiolytic medications do exist. However, a positive educational impact was made and demonstrated via improvement in posttest scores.