Implementation of an Education Program for an Ultrasound-Guided Liposomal Bupivacaine Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Protocol for Open Abdominal Procedures

Anesthesia practitioners at the authors' facility had varying education and training with placing transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks and with the use of liposomal bupivacaine limiting the utilization of this regional anesthetic technique for patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures. An expansive literature review suggested that ultrasound-guided liposomal bupivacaine TAP blocks were safe and effective for reducing postoperative pain scores, opioid use, and no reported adverse effects. Current literature findings were used to craft an educational intervention to update current practices among anesthesia practitioners. The purpose of the project was to develop and implement an educational intervention to improve the knowledge and confidence of all anesthesia providers at our facility when placing and managing liposomal bupivacaine TAP blocks in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. We used the Ajzen Theory of Planned Behavior to create an effective practice change, combined with skill acquisition through simulation, among anesthesia providers at our facility in performing ultrasound-guided liposomal bupivacaine TAP blocks. The implementation of a multistrategy education program using simulation resulted in a significant increase in knowledge and confidence among anesthesia practitioners.