Knowledge and perceptions of regional anesthesia and block room usage among orthopaedic surgeons and nurses

The performance of regional anesthesia (RA) in a block room (BR) may have an impact on the efficiency of the orthopaedics operating room (OR). The aim of this study was to understand the knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding RA and BR.

Two types of pilot surveys were developed and applied in three independent hospitals. Statistical validation of the survey was performed (Cronbach alpha coefficient and factor analysis), followed by its restructuring. Validated surveys were randomly delivered to orthopaedists and OR nurses from our institution, and a descriptive analysis was performed.

The pilot surveys presented a Cronbach alpha of 0.533 and 0.417 in the orthopaedic and OR nurse groups, respectively. Two questions in each survey were removed, increasing the internal consistency of the final restructured surveys. There was a total of 126 validated surveys completed (46 by orthopaedists and 76 by OR nurses). Both groups consider that, compared with general anesthesia, RA is associated with better pain control (95.7%/93.4%), fewer side effects (63%/73.7%), and improved patient satisfaction (84.7%/69.7%). Both groups would choose RA for themselves (89.1%/89.5%) and recommend it to a family member (89.1%/92.1%). Regarding BR, 80.4% of orthopaedists agreed that it is associated with less time wasted in anesthetic preparation, higher productivity (65.2%), and greater efficacy (65.2%).

Most orthopaedists and OR nurses recognized the various benefits of RA. Orthopaedists agreed that BR improves outcomes and provides efficiency gains in the OR. Genuine support from the entire OR team can play a critical role in the change.