AANA Journal Course-Trauma-Informed Care Considerations for Anesthesia Providers

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, underrecognized condition among adults undergoing surgical procedures requiring anesthesia that poses significant risks throughout the perioperative period. Elements inherent to anesthesia care (e.g., loss of control, anesthetic induction, and emergence) may trigger trauma re-experiencing, resulting in heightened anxiety, dissociation, altered pain perception, and an increased incidence of emergence delirium. Despite evidence linking PTSD to adverse perioperative outcomes, current anesthesia protocols lack standardized screening measures and trauma-informed management strategies. Anesthesia providers often receive limited formal education on identifying or adapting anesthetic plans to address trauma-related vulnerabilities, contributing to inconsistent care delivery, increased postoperative complications, prolonged recovery, and adverse patient experiences. To address this gap, a review of the literature between 2014 and 2024 was conducted to examine perioperative anesthesia considerations for adults with PTSD and to identify evidence-based pharmacologic and trauma-informed interventions. The education gap stresses the need for systematic integration of trauma-informed care principles alongside evidence-based pharmacologic strategies within anesthesia practice. Addressing PTSD through targeted screening, provider education, and individualized anesthetic planning has the potential to enhance patient safety, improve perioperative outcomes, and promote a more compassionate, patient-centered approach to anesthesia care for trauma-exposed individuals.