Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of A Nurse-Initiated Topical Anesthesia Protocol, Jennifer Anderson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Although topical anesthetics are a safe, effective, and non-invasive alternative to infiltrated anesthesia for laceration repair, their availability to providers continues to limit their use. This practice innovation project developed a protocol for the nurse-initiated anesthesia for patients over one year of age presenting to a critical access hospital emergency department with lacerations. Pre and post implementation chart reviews were utilized to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of this protocol. This project has potential to impact patient pain levels, anxiety, restraint use, total treatment time, and patient satisfaction scores.