Perioperative Corneal Abrasion: An Exploration of Educational Intervention Effectiveness and Impact on Prevention Practices

Abstract

Research has identified risk factors associated with the development of perioperative corneal abrasions.2-4 Evidence suggests preventative measures that can be utilized to prevent corneal abrasions, however a standardized perioperative corneal abrasion prevention guideline has not been developed by any professional anesthesia organization.8,9,10-12 Due to the lack of standardized guidelines, individual institutions are left to develop their own perioperative corneal abrasion prevention guidelines, the effectiveness of which are largely unknown. The primary purpose of this study is to determine anesthesia providers’ current level of understanding of perioperative corneal abrasion prevention practices. The secondary purpose is to determine what impact an educational in-service has on the anesthesia provider’s understanding of perioperative corneal abrasion prevention practices.

This study was conducted using a quantitative quasi-experimental pre-post interventional design. The design for this research was used to evaluate anesthesia provider’s understanding of perioperative corneal abrasion prevention methods before and after an educational in-service and the impact the intervention may have on their practices. The non-randomized convenience sample for this study included Anesthesiologists (MDAs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who practice in two mid-Atlantic teaching hospitals in the United States. The de novo data collection tool utilized for this study included a pre-test and identical post-test administered approximately one month after the educational intervention. The pre and post-test consisted of 15 identical questions in 3 parts consisting of demographics, prevention practices, and 5-point Likert scale questions regarding the provider's willingness to alter current practices.

Participants demonstrated a basic understanding of perioperative corneal abrasion prevention methods. The educational intervention did not have a significant association with improved understanding of perioperative corneal abrasion prevention understanding (p = 0.171) or a significant impact on anesthesia providers’ prevention methods (p = 0.213-0.277) however post-test scores did improve from 76% to 82%. Furthermore, 80% of participants felt that an educational intervention would have a significant impact on their corneal abrasion prevention methods. Continued perioperative corneal abrasion prevention education is warranted as the benefits of reduced corneal abrasions, including improved patient comfort, patient satisfaction, and reduced cost to the patient outweigh the cost of an educational in-service.