Enhancing Anesthesia Providers’ Knowledge of Opioid Sparing Techniques for Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Purpose. The intended purpose of this Doctor of Nursing (DNP) project was to provide evidence-based education and measure anesthesia providers’ understanding of the use of opioid- sparing techniques for perioperative bariatric care. Background. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery often have several comorbidities, including sleep apnea, diabetes, and heart disease, which heightens the likelihood of opioid-related complications used to manage postoperative pain. Reducing opioid usage reduces the risk of respiratory depression, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal problems. Alternatives to opioids for postoperative pain management include multimodal anesthesia/analgesia techniques, which decrease opioid use for this high-risk population at risk for respiratory depression. Anesthesia providers should emphasize alternate pain treatment measures to guarantee the safety and well- being of bariatric surgery patients. Methods. The method of implementation of this project was an educational presentation delivered virtually to certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNAs) and physician anesthesiologists at a metropolitan hospital in Arizona. After the presentation, a post-and-pre- assessment survey was completed via Qualtrics, and the aggregated data regarding provider education enhancement and intention to adjust care was shared with anesthesia leadership. Results. A total of 10 anesthesia providers were recruited to attend this presentation with a final of 8 participants (n=8) completing a 15-question survey. All participants showed a significant improvement in their comprehension of when to use opioid-sparing approaches after the presentation. All of them gained confidence in their capacity to apply these techniques and acquired information about different sorts of opioid-sparing techniques. A majority of the 10 participants (88%), who also displayed a stronger inclination to integrate change into their practice, demonstrated comprehension of how a multimodal approach can improve patient outcomes. The presentation led to a statistically significant improvement in all categories, as shown by a p-value of less than 0.05 (z = -2.2014) in a Wilcoxon rank-signed test. This indicates that educational interventions can effectively enhance knowledge and promote the appropriate use of opioid-sparing techniques in clinical practice. Conclusions. The findings of this quality improvement (QI) project provide support for an educational session that incorporates multiple opioid-sparing techniques to improve the outcomes of bariatric surgery.