Implementation of Continuous Capnography Protocol in a Postanesthesia Care Unit for Adult Patients at High-risk of Postoperative Respiratory Depression.

PURPOSE: This project aimed to implement a continuous capnography protocol in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for postoperative adult patients who are at high risk for respiratory failure. DESIGN: A preintervention and postintervention quality improvement design with retrospective chart reviews evaluated patient demographics (age, weight, body mass index [BMI], perioperative fluid intake and output, use of intraoperative positive-end expiratory pressure), length of surgery, average length of PACU stay, incidence of respiratory events, and adherence to a PACU capnography protocol. METHODS: Preimplementation data were collected from retrospective chart reviews over a 3-month period. A continuous capnography protocol was implemented for same-day surgery patients with a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or greater and who received general anesthesia. Postimplementation data were collected over 3 months in addition to adherence to the capnography protocol. This was presented using descriptive statistics. FINDINGS: Age, length of surgery, weight, BMI, perioperative fluid intake and output, and use of positive-end expiratory pressure did not impact PACU length of stay. The average PACU length of stay decreased from 76.76 to 71.82 minutes postimplementation but was not statistically significant (P = .470). The incidence of respiratory events was 6% (n = 3). After the implementation of the continuous capnography protocol, adherence to the continuous capnography monitoring was 86% (n = 43). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are at high risk for postoperative respiratory failure may benefit from continuous capnography monitoring in the PACU. Capnography monitoring may decrease PACU length of stay and provide earlier detection of pending respiratory depression or failure than pulse oximetry alone.

Engaging advanced practice nurses in evidence-based practice: An e-mentoring program.

BACKGROUND: Mentoring is highly valued in the nursing profession and essential to building an evidence-based practice (EBP) culture. However, many organizations have a limited number of EBP mentors, who have limited non-clinical time to engage in mentoring. AIMS: This project aimed to test whether an e-mentoring approach to nursing inquiry could enhance EBP beliefs (EBPB), increase EBP Implementation (EBPI), and improve Organizational Culture and Readiness for System-Wide Implementation of EBP (OCRSIEP). METHODS: A pre-experimental pilot intervention project was implemented utilizing a pretest-posttest design with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' (APRNs) in clinical practice. The OCRSIEP, EBPB, and EBPI scales were used to measure organizational readiness for EBP implementation, individual beliefs regarding the value of EBP, and the extent to which nurses integrate scientific evidence into their clinical practice, respectively. The Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test was used to analyze the difference between pretest and posttest scores of an EBP E-mentoring program. A post-hoc analysis was performed to calculate effect sizes. [Correction added on 13 May 2022, after first online publication: The Methods section was revised to add additional details.] RESULTS: Eleven APRNs completed the pretest and posttest surveys. When comparing the pre-and post-intervention scores, the median EBPB scores increased from 61 (IQR: 56-69) to 70 (IQR: 64-73), median EBPI scores increased from 13 (IQR: 7-33) to 20 (IQR: 13-31), and median OCRSIEP scores increased from 88 (IQR: 73-97) to 99 (IQR: 90-113). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: A 12-week Nurse Inquiry E-mentoring Program can leverage the small number of EBP mentors in an organization to improve EBPB. A program lasting longer in duration may also significantly improve EBPI and OCRSIEP scores. By utilizing technology and leveraging economies of scale, exponentially more nurses can be mentored to create and enhance an EBP culture.

Implementation of a Power Down Initiative in 34 Operating Rooms.

Operating rooms (ORs) use energy-intensive equipment such as anesthesia gas machines, patient monitors, and lights. They are major contributors to an institution's carbon footprint; yet ORs are unoccupied 40% of the time. Implementing an initiative to power down electrical devices can reduce energy consumption, equipment failure, and financial outlay. This quality improvement project developed and implemented a power down initiative for anesthesia staff to use in ORs. The initiative included turning off anesthesia gas machines, patient monitors, auxiliary oxygen delivery, and room lights at the end of scheduled cases in ORs that were not used for emergencies. Convenience audits were conducted. Pre- and postimplementation compliance outcomes showed that there was an increase in powering down the anesthesia gas machine, patient monitor, auxiliary oxygen, and room lights. Powering down unnecessary equipment at this facility has the potential to save approximately $50,000 and prevent the emission of over 80 metric tons of CO2 per year. Other facilities can implement a similar quality improvement project aimed at fiscal and ecological conservation.