Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAS)

Abstract

Purpose: This doctoral project evaluates the effectiveness of an educational intervention aimed at improving anesthesia providers’ understanding of Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for assessing aspiration risk in patients on Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA). The goal is to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes through targeted education. Background: Managing aspiration risk is vital in anesthesia, especially since GLP-1 RAs, used for type 2 diabetes, can affect gastric motility and increase aspiration risk. Gastric POCUS is a valuable non-invasive tool for assessing gastric contents and volume, yet its clinical use is hampered by insufficient training among anesthesia providers. This study seeks to bridge that gap and equip professionals with the necessary skills to use gastric POCUS effectively alongside GLP-1 RA treatment. Methods: A quantitative methodology, complemented by a post-pre survey design, was utilized to scrutinize the impact of the academic intervention. The educational program involved a meticulously structured didactic presentation and a pre-recorded video. A Qualtrics-based assessment instrument was used to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of the educational endeavor, employing a Likert scale to discern shifts in knowledge bases and propensities toward the clinical application of gastric POCUS post-training. Rigorous ethical protocols, including obtaining informed consent and Institutional Review Board approval, were implemented to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of participant data. Results: The intervention significantly enhanced anesthesia providers’ perceived knowledge and confidence regarding GLP-1 RA-related perioperative risks. Analysis with Wilcoxon SignedRank tests showed statistically significant improvements in all survey questions (p < 0.05). Descriptive statistics indicated a notable increase in mean scores and a decrease in response variability, suggesting a more consistent understanding of the topic among participants. Effect size calculations revealed a moderate to large effect, underscoring the intervention's success in boosting provider competency. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that a structured educational intervention can effectively narrow existing knowledge gaps, enhancing anesthesia providers’ preparedness for managing GLP-1 RA-related risks. These findings support integrating gastric POCUS training into clinical practice to improve patient safety and optimize care for high-risk patients.