Improving Perioperative Knowledge and Confidence of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity Management Through Education and Clinical Simulation

Abstract

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a life-threatening event that can occur after the administration of local anesthetics. Although LAST is a sparsely occurring event, reaction and recognition to the initial signs and symptoms followed by prompt treatment ensure effective, life-saving treatment. Providing perioperative staff with education and simulated LAST scenarios have shown to improve knowledge and confidence in LAST crisis management which translates to better preparedness if ever faced with this crisis. The purpose of this project was to provide clinical anesthesia providers and perioperative nursing staff with LAST education via simulation and case scenarios to improve awareness, confidence, knowledge, and responsiveness to a critical LAST crisis.A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate knowledge and confidence following the education and mock LAST scenario. Results provided information consistent with increased average mean scores of both knowledge and confidence across all categories. Participants’ post-evaluation questionnaires inferred information from the presentation and mock scenario were beneficial to practice and improved baseline knowledge and confidence.The results of this project have shown that knowledge and confidence improved for both RN and anesthesia providers. These findings may provide grounds for practice change for perioperative team members by changing the focus of assessments during local anesthetic administration. It is also recommended from the results of this project to incorporate LAST crisis management training into the new hire orientation program

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