Impact of an interdisciplinary process to increase utilization of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery: A retrospective database analysis

Background

Neuraxial anesthesia is the preferred anesthesia mode for cesarean delivery (CD). The primary study aim was to study the rate of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery before and after educational strategies were implemented, focusing on neuraxial anesthesia use for CD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of the mode of anesthesia for CD. Educational strategies to inform about neuraxial anesthesia for CD included interdisciplinary daily handovers and ward rounds, and interdisciplinary academic meetings and simulation sessions. We retrieved data from the hospital electronic record for mode of anesthesia for CD, intravenous supplementation, to assess the impact of our strategies on neuraxial anesthesia use for CD (2014–2023).

Results

The rate of neuraxial anesthesia increased from 89.8% in 2014 to 96.3% in 2023, with corresponding decrease in general anesthesia from 10.2% to 4.5% for all CD. The use of labor epidural augmentation for unplanned CD increased from 31.9% to 55.1%. Intravenous supplementation with spinal anesthesia for unplanned CD increased from 18.1% to 32.1%.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the utility of educational strategies to increase neuraxial anesthesia use and highlights the importance of proactive interdisciplinary labor management.