Lavender Aromatherapy Compared to Midazolam For Quality Improvement Of Preoperative Anxiety In Elderly Surgical Patients: An Educational Module

Impact: Investigation into the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy across several patient populations, application types, and outcome measures establish that lavender oil relieves anxiety, reduces mental stress, provides sedation, and promotes good sleep. Background: Studies have investigated the link between age and the occurrence of undesired responses to premedication with agents of the benzodiazepine drug class. This link is explained by age-related pathophysiologic changes that occur as a function of aging. Despite numerous knowledge-based concerns, benzodiazepines prevail among the top psychotropic medications prescribed in elderly patients aged between 65 and 80 years. Objective: This quality improvement project aims to enhance anesthesia providers\u27 knowledge, beliefs, and attitude regarding the value of aromatherapy with lavender oil as an affordable, safe, and effective alternative to midazolam administration for preoperative anxiolysis in elderly surgical patients. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to synthesize studies relevant to the PICO question and create an evidence-based educational module for virtual presentation. An anonymous online platform was used to distribute the project’s intervention and survey components to a sample of anesthesia providers working at a South Florida level-1 trauma center and to record and statistically analyze data. Results: Collectively, the evidence-based literature presented by this project positively impacts the perioperative care of older adults, as it demonstrates lavender aromatherapy as a beneficial alternative to midazolam administration for improved management of preoperative anxiety in elderly surgical patients. Discussion: Analysis of the pre-and post-survey results reveals that this quality improvement project met the objective of expanding anesthesia providers’ knowledge and understanding of the use of lavender oil aromatherapy to optimize preoperative anxiety and care outcomes in elderly surgical patients. As a result, they will be more competent and effective in helping elderly patient populations achieve relief from anxiety before surgery and improved perioperative care outcomes. The small sample size, short project duration, and online delivery platform were limitations of this project

Anesthetic Management of Patients with Post COVID-19 Syndrome: A Quality Improvement Project

Background: Millions of people have been infected with the novel Coronavirus 2019, creating a global pandemic. Despite the high mortality rate of this viral infection, millions of people have recovered, and are now presenting for surgical procedures with a history of COVID-19 infection. Residual effects of COVID-19 infection have been observed for several after diagnosis and are referred to as post COVID-19 syndrome. Post COVID-19 sequela can alter multisystem physiological processes that may alter anesthetic care throughout the perioperative period. Objectives: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to improve anesthesia provider knowledge on the management of patients who have post COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: The primary methodology of the proposed quality improvement project is to administer an educational intervention to anesthesia providers which discusses the management of patients undergoing elective surgery and have a history of COVID-19 infection. Pre- and post- assessment surveys will be used to measure the effectiveness of the educational intervention. Results: Overall, there was an improvement in anesthesia provider knowledge following the educational intervention. Participants also answered they would “always” or “often” consider additional pre-operative testing compared to “sometimes” prior to the educational intervention