Become a patient advocate and champion
their cause
Healthcare professionals are successfully implementing Regional Anesthesia programs at facilities in the United States and Canada.
Regional Anesthesia programs often start through a patient advocate – someone willing to challenge preconceived notions. These advocates champion the development of RA programs and take a lead role in explaining the benefits, answering questions and managing the process.
Tips for Starting a Regional Anesthesia Program
Successful programs are built on strong partnerships between anesthesia, nursing and surgeons. When these key members see the benefits of Regional Anesthesia, they can build a consensus among other team members, including administration and management. The evidence is clear. The data exists to present a compelling medical and financial case for RA.
Education is the Key to Success
Each team member must understand his or her role and how it will be affected by Regional Anesthesia. A successful program requires new techniques, different drugs and changes to customary procedures. Programs succeed when everyone is in the loop and working together for the greater good of the patient.
Thing Big, Start Small
Don’t try to change everything at once. Start with one or two surgical procedures or surgeons and build new RA techniques and protocols. Look to patient outcomes as an indicator of early success. Profitability and revenue results may take longer. When you feel comfortable, advance the program in additional areas by sharing success stories and learning experiences.
Optimize your Program
Depending upon the size and resources of your facility, it may make financial and operational sense to develop new roles such as a Block Nurse or an Acute Pain Nurse. While these roles are not a prerequisite for a nerve block or Regional Anesthesia program, they do help to standardize protocols, improve safety and offer quicker scalability.
Regional Anesthesia benefits everyone – patients, practitioners and administrators. RA programs position medical institutions as technology leaders, helping them attract the best practitioners and residents.
Take the first step. Sign up for a Regional Anesthesia workshop to learn more.