Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2022

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

DNP

College

School of Nursing

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Mike Frame

Committee Co-Chair

Eric Lindstrom

Committee Member

Eric Lindstrom

Committee Member

Kesheng Wang

Abstract

Background: Communication errors in operating room (OR) settings are a common and avoidable source of patient harm. Communication in OR settings is enhanced when all members of the surgical team have knowledge of the skills and proficiency of their fellow team members. Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) provide anesthesia under the supervision of a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or physician anesthesiologist. SRNAs’ proficiency in delivering anesthesia can vary significantly depending on their level of training, which varies based on the progression of the student in their multi-year nurse anesthesia program. Methods: This quality improvement project implemented a standardized non-verbal communication tool involving a color-coded visual cue system to aid surgical team members in quickly identifying the level of training of SRNAs in the operating room setting. Introduction of the intervention into the clinical setting was preceded by release of materials via email and posters to educate staff regarding the intervention. Pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys of surgical team members were conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: A statistical analysis of these results did not demonstrate a significant improvement in surgical team members’ ability to quickly identify the level of training of SRNAs. Discussion: Poor statistical resolution secondary to small sample sizes and the limited means to educate a large pool of staff make interpretation of this result difficult. Conclusion: Further research using more robust methods of staff education and data collection would be necessary to firmly establish or discount the intervention’s validity.

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