Preoperative Preparation and Guidelines for Cannabis-Using Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

Abstract

PurposeAppropriate preoperative screening techniques are needed to safely provide anesthesia to increasing numbers of cannabis using surgical patients. DesignThis was a quasi-experimental quality improvement project. MethodsPreoperative identification of cannabis users by registered nurses (RNs) and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) was compared to baseline identification rates. CRNAs’ compliance with evidenced base guidelines was recorded. Perioperative medication requirements were recorded and compared between cannabis-users and noncannabis users. FindingsIdentification of cannabis users by CRNAs conducting preanesthetic assessments increased from 4.08% to 14.36% while RN identification improved from 11.22% to 13.81%. Compliance with identification guidelines was 69.2% among CRNAs. There were no differences in anesthetic requirements, complications, or postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay between cannabis users and nonusers. ConclusionsPreoperative identification of cannabis users allows for safer, more effective perioperative care by CRNAs, registered nurses, and surgical staff.