Perioperative Education on the Utilization of Dexmedetomidine for Surgical Patients

Purpose. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance anesthesia practitioners’knowledge of the application of dexmedetomidine (DEX), focusing on maximizing patient care during general anesthesia or procedural sedation. Background. The analgesic, sedative, and anxiolytic qualities of DEX, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, provide exceptional benefits in postoperative treatment without causing significant respiratory depression. However, anesthesia providers should have in-depth expertise to optimize its utilization. Method. This QI project employed a quantitative approach, with the primary educational intervention being a live PowerPoint presentation. The presentation examined the doses, administration routes, onset times, and mechanism of action of DEX. Pre- and post-education surveys assessed participants’ knowledge and present DEX usage. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle guides the project’s iterative implementation and changes. Results. A recruitment email was sent to 24 anesthesia providers at the facility. There were 14 anesthesia providers (58% recruited) who attended the presentation and a total number of 11 participants (78.5% response rate) who completed the survey. Most participants, 81.3% (n=9), were Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Following an educational intervention, 91% (n = 10) of the participants demonstrated improved knowledge and willingness to implement protocols related to DEX. The project findings shed light on education’s impact on practice and DEX attitudes among anesthesia providers. Conclusion. The project findings indicate that targeted educational interventions can significantly improve anesthesia providers’ knowledge and willingness to implement protocols 11 related to DEX use in surgical patients. The results indicate that continuous education and training programs are essential for enhancing the practice of anesthesia providers.

Name thesis:degree_name

D.N.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate College

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Mena, Raiza Stephanie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Torabi, Sarah

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• McMahon, Kelly
• Hoch, Kristie

• analgesia
• anesthesia
• DEX
• Dexmedetomidine
• emergence delirium
• sedation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/672785

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/672785