Availability of Lipid Emulsion to Regional Anesthesia Programs at US Academic Anesthesia Departments

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Significant data exists to suggest that lipid emulsion administration in the setting of local anesthetic toxicity has the potential to be life-saving. Unfortunately, a variety of potential barriers exist to routine lipid emulsion administration for those performing regional anesthesia including drug availability, drug cost and drug location. Inadequate training or lack of established protocols also have the potential to negatively impact patient outcomes. A previous study by Toledo et al (Availability of lipid emulsion in United States obstetric units. Anesth Analg 2013;116:406-408.) evaluated lipid emulsion availability on obstetric units and found that it was nearly universally available. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) publishes a list of contact information for each anesthesia institution that engages in resident training. Investigators will contact these institutions by phone or email to obtain contact information for their regional anesthesia program director. In the absence of a program director, investigators will send a survey and consent information via email to the faculty physician most involved in regional anesthesia. Survey completion instructions (survey itself to be completed on Qualtrics Survey Hosting Service) and copy of the study consent form will be attached to the initial contact email. The study consent form will contain a description of the study itself. Survey participants will be allowed time to complete their survey in private at their discretion. Non-responders will receive two follow-up emails at one month intervals.

Official Title
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Availability of Lipid Emulsion to Regional Anesthesia Programs at US Academic Anesthesia Departments

Conditions
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Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Lipid Emulsion Survey


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Regional Anesthesia Section heads at academic anesthesia institutions.
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Regional Anesthesia Section Heads<br>This group will consist of Regional Anesthesia Section Heads at anesthesia residency training programs. | Other: Lipid Emulsion Survey<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Is lipid emulsion available at all locations where regional anesthesia is practiced in your institution? | Survey options include Yes, lipid emulsion is available in the room where regional anesthesia is performed. Yes, lipid emulsion is available in a near-by pharmacy Yes, lipid emulsion is available in a central pharmacy No, lipid emulsion is not available in all locations where regional anesthesia is performed | Two months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| If lipid emulsion is available to those practicing regional anesthesia at your institution, how long would it take to obtain it? | Possible responses include: Lipid emulsion is not available at our institution. Less than 10 minutes 10-30 minutes More than 30 minutes | Two Months. |