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Regional Anesthesia as an Emergency Department Consulting Service: A Quality Improvement Pilot Study
Rodney A Gabriel1, John J Finneran1, Michael A Orcutt2
1Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA.
Cureus
|December 2, 2025
Summary
A regional anesthesia team in the emergency department (ED) improved patient pain relief and satisfaction. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of providing nerve blocks for acute pain management in the ED setting.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Regional anesthesia offers potential benefits like earlier discharge and reduced opioid use.
- Systemic and cultural barriers limit regional anesthesia use in emergency departments (EDs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utilization of nerve blocks by a regional anesthesia team in the ED.
- To evaluate the impact of these nerve blocks on patient pain improvement and satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A regional anesthesia team consulted for ED providers over five months.
- Patients received peripheral nerve blocks administered by fellowship-trained anesthesiologists.
- Patient satisfaction and post-ED disposition were assessed via follow-up interviews.
Main Results:
- Most surveyed patients (9/14) reported 'Very Good' or 'Excellent' pain relief.
- Nearly all patients (11/14) would use the same pain relief method again.
- Most patients (11/14) rated their overall experience as 'Excellent' or 'Very Good'.
Conclusions:
- Implementing a regional anesthesia consulting service in the ED is feasible.
- The majority of patients were satisfied with the quality and timeliness of regional anesthesia care for acute pain.
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