An Educational Intervention to Promote Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
DNP Nurse Anesthesia
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Thomas Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
ABSTRACT
Obesity is a significant health concern that is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Although diet and exercise are known to help manage obesity, bariatric surgery has emerged as one of the most effective interventions for severe cases of obesity. This doctoral-prepared project focused on educating anesthesia professionals and students at a rural hospital about multimodal anesthetic techniques for bariatric surgery that aim to reduce opioid use, enhance pain management, and decrease perioperative complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and ventilatory challenges. The literature review highlights the benefits of opioid-free anesthesia, regional techniques, and enhanced recovery protocols and demonstrates improvements in patient outcomes, reduced antiemetic requirements, and shorter hospital stays. Anesthesia professionals were presented with a PowerPoint presentation regarding multimodal opioid-sparing techniques, and the projected measured changes in practice were assessed with pre- and post-surveys, revealing increased adoption of regional anesthesia techniques and adjunctive medications, alongside decreased narcotic use. Although the education influenced practice, limitations included a small sample size and a short implementation period. In conclusion, the findings support integrating opioid-sparing multimodal anesthesia into bariatric surgery protocols; however, further research is needed to drive broader clinical practice changes.
Keywords: opioid-sparing, multimodal anesthetic, PONV, bariatric surgery
Fall Scholars Week 2025
Other (Please write in)
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Nurse Anesthesia DNP Project Presentations
An Educational Intervention to Promote Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery
ABSTRACT
Obesity is a significant health concern that is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Although diet and exercise are known to help manage obesity, bariatric surgery has emerged as one of the most effective interventions for severe cases of obesity. This doctoral-prepared project focused on educating anesthesia professionals and students at a rural hospital about multimodal anesthetic techniques for bariatric surgery that aim to reduce opioid use, enhance pain management, and decrease perioperative complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and ventilatory challenges. The literature review highlights the benefits of opioid-free anesthesia, regional techniques, and enhanced recovery protocols and demonstrates improvements in patient outcomes, reduced antiemetic requirements, and shorter hospital stays. Anesthesia professionals were presented with a PowerPoint presentation regarding multimodal opioid-sparing techniques, and the projected measured changes in practice were assessed with pre- and post-surveys, revealing increased adoption of regional anesthesia techniques and adjunctive medications, alongside decreased narcotic use. Although the education influenced practice, limitations included a small sample size and a short implementation period. In conclusion, the findings support integrating opioid-sparing multimodal anesthesia into bariatric surgery protocols; however, further research is needed to drive broader clinical practice changes.
Keywords: opioid-sparing, multimodal anesthetic, PONV, bariatric surgery