Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2020
Document Type
DNP Project
Project Team Faculty Member
Dr. Mary Zerlan, DNP, CRNA
Project Team Faculty Member
Dr. Frank Lyerla, PhD, RN, FHIMSS
Project Team Faculty Member
Danny Geib, MS, CRNA
Keywords
Ketamine, Precedex, Emergence Delirium, PTSD, Combat Veteran
Abstract
Emergence Delirium incidences in the combat veteran population warrant unique anesthetic considerations. Examples of these considerations include the exclusion of a benzodiazepine and the use of low dose Ketamine or Precedex infusions. Researching these considerations, an anesthetic decision tree coupled with a screening questionnaire was developed and implemented in a hospital in Southern Illinois. The tool was developed based on a thorough literature review and a need to condense this information into a working knowledge for clinical application. Implementation of the project included staff education on the tool and the management of Emergence Delirium by using Ketamine and Precedex. A brief pre-test was given and then the provider was able to read the education material followed by a post-test. Results indicated an overall starting score of 80.6% that was raised to 95.1% following the education session. The post-implementation survey had eight responses in which all reported anesthetizing a combat veteran after the project implementation. Of the respondents, seven included using the project decision tree and none reported complications or Emergence Delirium. One respondent reported not using the protocol due to anesthetic plan conflict with another provider. This project positively improved patient outcomes while brining a researched anesthesia protocol into practice.
Recommended Citation
Oldani, Joseph and Arendt, Russell, "Reducing Emergence Delirium in Combat Veterans Through the Development of a Decision-Tree Utilizing Ketamine and Precedex" (2020). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 199.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/199
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