Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #46

Abstract Mask ventilation is one of the most critical steps in a safe anesthetic induction. However, many clinicians can struggle to maintain adequate mask ventilation. Studies have shown that administering midazolam before entering the operating room improves mask ventilation and improves placement of adjunct airways. This project was set in a hospital in central Florida. Flyers were attached to pyxis machines in each operating room, informing the certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) of difficult mask ventilation characteristics, the benefits of midazolam administration prior to induction of anesthesia, and the studies showing improvement in ventilation following midazolam administration. Data regarding the current pre-operative administration of midazolam, whether the CRNA has had trouble with mask ventilation, and whether the CRNA will increase their use of pre-operative administration, especially in patients with difficult mask ventilation characteristics via an anonymous survey was collected. This paper discusses the difficulty of mask ventilation and asks the question: do patients who receive midazolam for sedation and anxiolysis preoperatively, compared to those patients who do not, have less difficult mask ventilation issues?