Increasing Knowledge of Cannabis’ Anesthetic Implications Using a Mnemonic Acronym Screening Tool

Abstract

Purpose: To increase Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) provider perception ofknowledge of the anesthetic implications of cannabis use, and to increase the intent-to-assess cannabis implications with an easy to remember screening tool delivered as a mnemonic acronym. Background: Cannabis has been propelled to varying levels of state legalization and popular acceptance. However, as a federally appointed Schedule 1 drug, cannabis remains the most used illicit drug in the United States (US). Lack of well controlled studies due to cannabis’ federal restrictions, great variability of cannabis products and ingestion methods, varying composition of cannabinoids available to common consumers, and increasing numbers of cannabis users undergoing surgery are leaving anesthesia providers at a disadvantage when preparing to care for cannabis consumers. Anesthetic implications for cannabis users are profound, making a mnemonic acronym cannabis screening tool beneficial for increasing providers’ perceived knowledge of cannabis’ anesthetic implications throughout perioperative period. Methods: A live presentation of “H.O.W. H.I.” screening tool educated ARMC anesthesia providers on anesthetic implications of literature recommended cannabis assessment variables of type, route, duration, frequency, and last intake of cannabis; organized under headings 1) Health or Fun, 2) Onset and Often, 3) What, 4) How, and 5) Ingested last. A pretest/posttest design survey was completed after presentation to assess demographics, personal attitudes and experience towards cannabis, perceived knowledge of cannabis’ anesthetic implications, intent to assess for cannabis’ anesthetic implications, and intent to use screening tool. Results: Twenty-seven participants attended the presentation; 21 participants completed the survey. A statistically significant increase in perceived knowledge of cannabis’ anesthetic implications is evidenced by increased mean score of overall perception of knowledge of cannabis implications, and an increase of mean score of perception of knowledge of each variable after presentation. There is also a statistically significant increase in mean score on intent to assess cannabis implications, and a 5-point-Likert scale average score of 4.48 intent to use presented mnemonic acronym. Conclusions: The results of QI project demonstrate anesthesia provider’s perceived ability to learn literature recommendations for pre-operative assessment under mnemonic acronym, as well as willingness to put these recommendations into practice for risk reduction.