Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #47

Abstract This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate certified registered nurse anesthetists' (CRNAs) perspectives on ketamine use during laparoscopic cholecystectomies and examine the influence of evidence-based education on their clinical practice. A survey was distributed to CRNAs in one specific hospital location as the project's primary focus. The initial questionnaire explored current ketamine usage, concerns with its application, routine use of antiemetics to mitigate postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), confidence in ketamine's ability to reduce postoperative pain compared to other nonopioid analgesics, and whether evidence of ketamine's efficacy in reducing opioid use and enhancing pain control would influence their practice. Respondents were then presented with a synthesis of evidence highlighting ketamine's effectiveness as an alternative analgesic in this context. A follow-up survey assessed changes in their likelihood to incorporate ketamine into their practice. Findings from this project provide insights into CRNAs' perceptions of ketamine and the potential of evidence-based interventions to influence anesthesia practices aimed at improving postoperative outcomes. The survey results indicate that CRNAs recognize the potential benefits of ketamine as part of a multimodal analgesic plan but are also mindful of its unwanted side effects and practical challenges at their current workplace. However, after reviewing the provided evidence synthesis, most respondents expressed a greater willingness to integrate ketamine into their practice despite their previous utilization of ketamine.