Date of this Version

12-6-2023

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Background: Despite rapid scientific advancements in medicine, adequate postoperative pain prophylaxis remains unsuccessful. Current guidelines recommend opioid-sparing techniques to combat the current opioid epidemic, enhance postoperative recovery, and reduce the incidence and severity of postoperative pain. The current opioid epidemic challenges anesthesia providers to utilize opioid-sparing approaches in the perioperative setting, such as magnesium sulfate.

Methods: A review of the literature was performed in congruence with following PICO question was developed for this project: In adult patients undergoing elective surgery, does the administration of magnesium sulfate in the perioperative period, compared to opioids and nonopioids, decrease postoperative pain, opioid requirements, and improve anesthesia provider knowledge, usage, and attitude? The results from the literature review were used to construct an online educational module for anesthesia providers to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward magnesium sulfate. A pre and post survey was administered to anesthesia providers to quantify the knowledge acquired from the module. Anonymous data collection was performed and analyzed using the Qualtrics® survey software platform.

Results: Sixty-seven surveys were sent to anesthesia providers, 5 participants completed the demographics portion (n=5), and 4 anesthesia providers completed the pre-test and post-test (n=4). The average amount of correct answers in the magnesium knowledge pre-test was 62.5% compared to 93.75% in the post-test, demonstrating a percent change of 50% in knowledge. In the pre-test, 50% of participants reported a “very positive” attitude towards magnesium, and 75% of participants reported a “very positive” attitude in the post-test. One participant reported a negative attitude in the pre-test, followed by a “very positive” attitude in the post-test.

Conclusions/Recommendations for Practice: The participants demonstrated enhanced knowledge and attitudes towards the use of magnesium sulfate as an analgesic adjunct for perioperative pain control, as well as an inclination to utilize magnesium sulfate in clinical practice. Although enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have become the benchmark standard for enhancing postoperative recovery, adherence is variable. The results from this project demonstrate the efficacy of Implementing educational modules aimed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of anesthesia providers in practice.

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