ASPAN Learn

This session will present various types of spinal surgery patients, perianesthesia care considerations, potential complications and post-surgical care. The use of a spinal pathway to guide quality outcomes will also be discussed.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

H. Lynn Kane MSN MBA RN CCRN
Helen.kane@jefferson.org 

Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN
lwilson@aspan.org

Laryngospasm in pediatric patients is a frightening experience in the PACU. This session will present strategies to teach laryngospasm recognition and management to newly onboarded staff, so they are competent and confident.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Melissa Boisvenue BSN BSCN
meboisvenue@cheo.on.ca

Perianesthesia orientation is developed and for the nurse new to the perianesthesia setting.  This session will focus on the role that the preceptor/coach plays in ensuring a successful orientation.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Antoinette Zito MSN RN CPAN FASPAN
azito@aspan.org 

Jennifer Zaleha BSN RN CPAN
Zalehaj@ccf.org

Perianesthesia nurses must be vigilant in their assessment and monitoring of patients to ensure patient safety throughout the perianesthesia care continuum. This session will provide a broad overview of the phases of perianesthesia nursing care from preoperative to discharge. Using a case study approach, examples of the impact of vigilant perianesthesia care on early identification and timely intervention of unexpected potential and actual anesthesia and surgical/procedural related complications are explored.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Maureen McLaughlin MS RN ACNS-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
Maureen.F.Mclaughlin@lahey.org

Phase II Perianesthesia nursing is a specialty unto itself.  Understanding the impact specific medications used during anesthesia have on patients during this phase of care and the unique needs of this patient population is essential to competent, compassionate patient care and safe discharge.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Nancy Stryzewski MSN RN CPAN CAPA
nstrzyz@sbcglobal.net

This session will highlight how the introduction of the combination of continuous IV Ketamine infusion with the use of constant ultra-low-dose Naloxone infusion has significantly decreased the consumption of post-operative narcotics for neurosurgery patients while maintaining adequate pain control.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Tanya Lachapelle RN BScN Med PAN©
tlachapelle@toh.ca

Looking to level up your next staff meeting or engage your team in a creative way?  Not sure where you can start or how you would create a game for your team?  Come learn where to find easy tools to use, create a simple educational trivia with references, and join in on some games that you can use to build your team’s clinical skills!

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Carrie Royse BSN RN CAPA
Carrie_Royse@urmc.rochester.edu

Review of some of the most common surgical procedures performed in children, post operative care and considerations. Discharge considerations and planning for pediatric patients.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Melissa Boisvenue BSN BSCN
meboisvenue@cheo.on.ca

Healthcare providers dread malpractice claims and providers now have an added concern—facing criminal charges for injury to a patient.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Susan Russell BSN RN JD CPAN CAPA FASPAN
spraustx@aol.com

Technological advances in surgical approaches have rapidly expanded to laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery across many specialties. While minimally invasive, this surgical approach is not without risk to the patient. Complications may include postoperative pulmonary complications, perforation, vascular injury or conversion to an open surgical approach. This session describes laparoscopic surgery and explores potential postoperative complications with associated assessment and management strategies.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Maureen McLaughlin MS RN ACNS-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
Maureen.F.Mclaughlin@lahey.org

The negative health impact from occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases is well documented. Patients who have received anesthetic gases exhale them 95% unmetabolized into the ambient air of the PACU, an area lacking regulations or engineering controls to mitigate exposure as well as lacking a rigorous air quality surveillance program. Waste Anesthetic Gases also contribute to climate change. This presentation will cover the most recent research findings and recommendations to protect nurses and the environment.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Elizabeth Card DNP APRN FNP-BC CPAN CCRP FAAN FASPAN
elizabeth@nursewellbeinginstitute.com

Dina Krenzischek PhD MAS RN CPAN CFRE FAAN FASPAN
ekrenzis@mdmercy.com

Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN
lwilson@aspan.org

Kishor Khankari PhD Fellow ASHRAE
kishork@ansight.com

This session will highlight how introducing a Virtual Recovery After Surgery (VRAS) program has decreased the length of stay for postoperative patients in a hospital setting.  This technology has increased patient satisfaction, decreased readmission rates and converted the admission route of some surgeries from surgical admitted patients to same-day discharge patients.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Tanya Lachapelle RN BScN Med PAN©
tlachapelle@toh.ca

Providing a deeper understanding of the concept of just culture within the Perianesthesia setting, participants will explore how to foster an environment where integrity and accountability are paramount. Examination of strategies for balancing patient safety with staff empowerment, ultimately promoting a culture of trust and continuous improvement in Perianesthesia care, is encouraged through case studies and best practice dialogue.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Sarah Cartwright DNP RN NI-BC CAPA FASPAN
scartwright@aspan.org

Meeting the needs of the pediatric patient population can be quite challenging for the perianesthesia nurse, despite experience and exposure. This session addresses the importance of preoperative preparation and preoperative assessment for pediatric surgical patients and their caregivers.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Alison Popa BSN RN RSCN CPAN CAPA
Alisonpopa.rn27@gmail.com

This lecture will explore the evidence-based journey a team of nurses took to standardize a handoff tool and process, and ultimately improve the handoff culture. After identifying large variability in reporting and an informal approach to handoff, a foundation for reforming the current handoff structure was implemented. Ultimately, the final, and most challenging step was the process we took to make handoff a cultural priority in our institution to put patient safety in the forefront of handoff in the PACU.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Amy Berardinelli DNP RN NE-BC CPAN FASPAN
aberardinelli@aspan.org

Science, knowledge, and evidence advocate healthy environments for perianesthesia nurses. Healthy environments take positive energy, a committed team and collaborative commitments to make a difference for each other. Join this session and learn more to positively impact and grow within thriving teams at work, in our components, community and organization. Let's promote a healthy perianesthesia environment for everyone. Science of safety positively affects fostering healthy environments. Be the positive change for better outcomes!

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Connie Hardy Tabet MSN RN CPAN CAPA FASPAN
chardytabet@gmail.com

Perianesthesia nurses thrive in Magnet hospitals. They play a major role in sustaining the Magnet culture. This lecture describes perianesthesia nurses’ active participation and leadership support in achieving Magnet designations.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Maria Sheilla Membrebe DNP MSN/Ed RN ONC CMSRN CBN CNE
mmembrebe@mdmercy.com

One in five U.S. adults experience a mental health condition every year. Patients with mental illness have a higher risk of surgical complications. This presentation aims to discuss the role of the perioperative nurse in caring for patients with mental illness.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Carolynn A. Bitzer MSN RN APRN BC
Bitzerc2@ihn.org

Noel Buchanan BSN RN CNOR
Buchanann@ihn.org

Sarah McCall BSN RN CNOR
Scmccall0820@gmail.com

This session will present the perianesthesia care considerations of the patient with a substance use disorder. Physiological and psychological support for this patient along with potential challenges will be presented.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

H. Lynn Kane MSN MBA RN CCRN
Helen.kane@jefferson.edu 

Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN
lwilson@aspan.org

Caring for the pediatric patient can be daunting, despite experience and exposure. Children have significant anatomical and physiological differences, which increases the risks of postoperative complications. This session addresses the importance of adequate preparation for pediatrics to avert respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) in the PACU.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Alison Popa BSN RN RSCN CPAN CAPA
Alisonpopa.rn27@gmail.com

So often nurses are faced with a situation that could end up having legal consequences or expose them to being named as a co-defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. These situations could appear to be so simple and innocent, like witnessing a signature on consent, to something more egregious like administering the wrong medication or treatment. Add to that the fast-paced atmosphere of the perianesthesia setting, and that could lead to legal disasters.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Sandy Salicco MSN RN CCRN-K
Sandy.salicco@gmail.com

There has been an exponential increase in outpatient procedures, both surgical and interventional. This session explores the emerging landscape of ambulatory care and discusses opportunities for preoperative optimization. Patient selection, risk mitigation and outcome metrics are reviewed with a lens of process improvement.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Maureen McLaughlin MS RN ACNS-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
Maureen.F.Mclaughlin@lahey.org

Care delivery is dependent on collaboration and when this is challenged by incivility, a fire can ignite that destroys relationships that were meant to bring healing. Issues of incivility, its importance to perianesthesia nursing, strategies for creation of a healthy work environment, and practice application will be discussed.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Amy Parker RN BSN MSN CPAN
Amyparker308@gmail.com

Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation, or TULSA, is a new, innovative, and minimally invasive approach for the treatment of prostate cancer and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Using storytelling and an actual case study, the perianesthesia nurse will follow the patient’s journey over five years—from diagnosis, to treatment, and follow-up.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Damon Watkins MSN RN CPAN NE-BC
Dew1270@gmail.com

This session will discuss the roles and responsibilities of charge nurse as not only in managing patient flow but also in providing clinical leadership and overseeing the coordination of care within the PACU environment. A systematic orientation for PACU charge nurses will be introduced and the competencies for charge nurses based on evidence-based practice will be presented.

1.0 contact hour 

Speaker(s)

Rona Khadka MSN RN CCRN CPAN
rkhanka@houstonmethodist.org

Lindsay Nate BSN RN CCRN CNSRN
linate@houstonmethodist.org

Thankfully most patients have a smooth and stable transition from pre-op, to OR, to PACU and beyond. Occasionally, however, a patient may have a cardiac arrhythmia or event that may require anything from a simple intervention to an immediate action and/ or treatment. This is when the bedside nurse must recollect ACLS arrhythmia algorithms and protocols, use critical thinking, and implement sound nursing actions and interventions.

1.0 contact hour  

Speaker(s)

Sandy Salicco MSN RN CCRN-K
Sandy.Salicco@gmail.com

Inherent in our nursing care of patients is the adherence to an ingrained nursing code of ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence and justice. Perianesthesia nurses frequently encounter ethically challenging cases such as patients with a do-not-resuscitate advanced directive or request for blood-free treatment. This session begins with a review of ethical principles and using a case study approach discusses the ethical challenges inherent in the perianesthesia environment. The session concludes with a discussion of strategies for the best outcome for the patient, family and care team.

1.0 contact hour   

Speaker(s)

Maureen McLaughlin MS RN ACNS-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
Maureen.F.Mclaughlin@lahey.org

Providing culturally sensitive holistic peri anesthesia care is essential to excellent outcomes.  Our patients are vulnerable and trust us to acknowledge their dignity and humanity across the spectrum of care. Sharpen your skills to be more culturally sensitive and integrate ethical principles of care with every patient interaction.

1.0 contact hour   

Speaker(s)

Kimberly Mihelich MSN RN CPAN
Mihelich70@gmail.com

Pathophysiology causes and clinical manifestations of DIC will be discussed. As well as differential diagnosis and treatment. Updated recommendations and guidelines will be incorporated.

1.0 contact hour   

Speaker(s)

Wanda Rodriguez MA RN CCRN CPAN
Rodriguez52@gmail.com

The substantial amount of medical waste generated in perianesthesia areas has a tremendous environmental impact. Exploring this issue allows perianesthesia nurses to identify ways we can generate a positive impact.

1.0 contact hour   

Speaker(s)

Nancy Strzyzewski MSN RN CPAN CAPA
nstrzyz@sbcglobal.net

Join us as we share our novel Comprehensive Onboarding to Perianesthesia Program (CO2P), a four-month structured curriculum combining formal didactic education with clinical preceptorship and formal clinical mentorship in a cohort approach.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Maribel Acosta MSN RN
Maribel_acosta@URMC.rochester.edu

Nancy Payne BSN RN CAPA  
Nancy_Payne@urmc.rochester.edu        

Explore the critical role of Interprofessional Collaborative Practices (ICP) in Perianesthesia Nursing and how they bridge knowledge gaps among diverse healthcare teams. This presentation will dissect the principles of ICP and demonstrate through successful case studies how comprehensive collaboration across disciplines—including surgery, anesthesiology, pharmacy, nursing informatics, and more—can enhance patient safety and improve outcomes in perioperative care.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Ashlynn Penna, DNP RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC
Ashlynn_Penna@yahoo.com

Unintended hypothermia in the perianesthesia setting. An evidence-based review of pathophysiology, complications, prevention, and treatment.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Cristina Brooks MSN RN CPAN CAPA
Cbrooks1023@yahoo.com

This presentation will review the signs & symptoms, causes, treatment/interventions, and capnography indications for many common airway complications seen in the Perianesthesia setting.  Using a case study format, some of the complications discussed will include residual paralysis, pseudocholinesterase deficiency, aspiration, laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, and more.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Michelle Meadows MSN RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC
michellem@panac.org 

Ronda Dyer MSN BSPA RN CPAN CAPA CNE
rdyer@aspan.org

The incidence of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) has continued to rise.  Nurses in the Perianesthesia arena may have some, little, or no familiarity in caring for women with suspected or diagnosed PAS. This session will review risk factors, pre/post-anesthesia considerations in care, and trauma-informed care for the woman with PAS.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Melanie Chichester BSN RNC-OB CPLC RNC-IAP FAWHONN
mlcobnurse@gmail.com 

Nancy Homan DNP MBA MHS AGACNP-BC FNP-BC
Letsdo12@gmail.com

This session will explore research findings from 2024 that have implications for Perianesthesia nursing practice. An analysis of the studies using the JBI critical appraisal tools will be presented.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Margaret McNeil PhD RN, APRN-CNS CCRN CCNS EBP-C TCRN CPAN NEA-BC NHDP-BC FASPAN FCNS FAAN
mcneillm@aol.com 

Amy Berardinelli DNP RN NE-BC CPAN FASPAN
aberardinelli@aspan.org

This session will present key concepts of debriefing and psychological safety. Different models of debriefing will also be presented.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN 
lwilson@aspan.org 

H. Lynn Kane MSN MBA RN CCRN
Helen.kane@jefferson.edu      

A review of one hospital’s achievements of the use of Artificial Intelligence to be able to screen and catch comorbidities in time enough to be treated or addressed for on time scheduled procedure.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Alphonzo Baker, Sr. DNP RN CAPA FASPAN
alphonzob@gmail.com

This lecture will review common anesthesia medications used in the perioperative setting. Correlate the post-anesthesia patient assessment with potential adverse reactions to various anesthetic medications and discuss anticipated treatment options.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Cristina Brooks MSN RN CPAN CAPA
Cbrooks1023@yahoo.com

GLP-1 receptor agonists are extremely popular medications with the potential to improve comorbidities in many individuals.  However, these medications can be extremely dangerous in the Perianesthesia population.  With 1.7% of the US population prescribed semaglutide alone, many patients are presenting for surgery while on these medications.  Come attend the GLP-1ra Deep Dive to find out more in-depth information on this class of medications along with steps perianesthesia nurses need to take in the care of patients taking them.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Michelle Meadows MSN RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC
michellem@panac.org

Non-invasive monitoring of minute ventilation in conjunction with standard respiratory monitoring provides both confidence of adequate ventilatory function and early identification of respiratory distress. Its application has enabled UC San Diego Health to decrease PACU length of stay and ensure appropriate discharge locations in high-risk patient post-surgically. Discharge policy protocols to include minute ventilation parameters have enabled safe discharge after recovery, decreasing cost to both patients and hospital systems, while increasing bed capacity and patient flow.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Lindsay Holt PhD MSN RN CPAN
lcholt@hs.uci.edu

This symposium will discuss the rationale for nursing journal clubs, and the steps to starting and conducting one. In addition, a basic primer on understanding statistics that are seen in many nursing clinical inquiry articles will be presented.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Margaret McNeil PhD RN, APRN-CNS CCRN CCNS EBP-C TCRN CPAN NEA-BC NHDP-BC FASPAN FCNS FAAN
mcneillm@aol.com 

Amy Berardinelli DNP RN NE-BC CPAN FASPAN
aberardinelli@aspan.org

This session will present available simulation strategies that can be implemented for education, competency assessment and research across the perianesthesia setting. Specific types of simulation, case development, implementation and evaluation will also be presented.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN
lwilson@aspan.org 

H. Lynn Kane MSN MBA RN CCRN
Helen.kane@jefferson.edu

This presentation reviews the current evidence-based recommendations for preanesthesia testing and screening to reduce the risk of surgical cancellations and delays. The presentation will include screening tools which can be applied in the preanesthesia testing and/or preop admission departments, review of ASA testing recommendations and the recognition of patients at-risk for complications.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Michelle Meadows MSN RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC
michellem@panac.org 

Ronda Dyer MSN BSPA RN CPAN CAPA CNE
rdyer@aspan.org

Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology in healthcare. Perianesthesia nurses need a greater understanding of this technology to innovate, evaluate and incorporate into safe, efficient, effective perianesthesia nursing care.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Sarah Cartwright DNP RN NI-BC CAPA FASPAN
scartwright@aspan.org

This session will explain why the subject of substance use disorders is important to perianesthesia nursing so they may recognize that they are at high risk. This session will advocate for improved education, training, and support for perianesthesia nurses so they may see help before becoming impaired. How to develop the most progressive policies and return-to-duty programs for perianesthesia nurses who are experiencing challenges related to behavioral health/substance use will also be presented.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

S. Marshal Isaacs MD
Marshal.Isaacs@utsouthwestern.edu

The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can be as high as 70-80% in high-risk patients. This session will explore the newest recommendations for risk identification, prophylaxis, and multimodal treatment as presented in the most recent literature.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Judith J. Kinnavy BSN RN CAPA
Jjk1211@sbcglobal.net

This session will discuss the basics of selecting a survey for use in a study, and the important things to consider will be covered. Tips for navigating the IRB for nurses submitting their research proposal for ethical review will also be discussed.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Margaret McNeil PhD RN, APRN-CNS CCRN CCNS EBP-C TCRN CPAN NEA-BC NHDP-BC FASPAN FCNS FAAN
mcneillm@aol.com

This session will explore the development of a comprehensive preceptor training program that incorporates Donna Wright's Competency Model along with ASPAN's updated practice model and practical evaluation tools. Participants will learn to tailor educational strategies to diverse learning styles and enhance professional communication, while also establishing effective competency-based frameworks and evaluation tools for preceptor and orientee assessments, all aimed at elevating patient care standards and improving the training process for new hires in perianesthesia settings.

1.25 contact hours

Speaker(s)

Ashlynn Penna DNP RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC
Ashlynn_penna@yahoo.com 

Erin Mlynczyk BSN RN CPAN CAPA
emlynczy@gmail.com

Receiving anesthesia agents poses risks. The perianesthesia nurse is required to have knowledge on anesthesia agents along with the associated risks related to these medications and potential complications.

1.25 contact hour 

Speaker(s)

Linda Beagley MS RN CPAN FASPAN
Lindabeagley607@gmail.com

Emergency preparedness drills, mastered and perfected in the emergency room setting, typically end with declaring, “Patient sent to the OR.” This presentation discusses the extension of disaster preparedness into the perioperative departments, preparing nurses all the way through patient discharge to successfully manage a variety of disaster scenarios. Innovative learning techniques, including gamification, are employed to engage perioperative nurses in interactive, scenario-based training that enhances critical thinking, decision-making skills, and retention of disaster preparedness protocols.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Kara Joustra RN BSN CCRN
Kara_joustra@urmc.rochester.edu

This session will describe risk factors in Pediatric Patients for PONV and discuss different strategies to decrease PONV.  Nursing and anesthesia interventions that can help decrease PONV will also be discussed. Medications and how they affect PONV will also be addressed.

1.25 contact hours 

Speaker(s)

Kimberly Letnaunchyn BSN RN CCRN
kletnaunchyn@comcast.net 

Deborah Dell BSN RN CCRN CPN CPAN
Debdell231@gmail.com

This session will provide opportunities to engage in simulating evidence-based general recovery and emergency skills within a theoretical clinical environment. The participants will be taken through three clinical simulations: cardiopulmonary shutdown, client recovery from local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), and client recovery from malignant hyperthermia.

1.25 contact hour 

Speaker(s)

Katherine D. Simpson DNP APRN-BC CNRN CVRN-II LNC
nrseteacher@gmail.com

This session will provide an overview of the nuances of implementing evidence-based practice change in the perianesthesia setting. A step-by-step overview of the implementation/deimplementation process will be provided, starting with an evaluation of the proposed practice change through implementation, evaluation, and sustainability.

1.25 contact hour

Speaker(s)

Jan Odom Forren PhD RN CPAN FAAN FASPAN
Jlforr2@uky.edu

Vallire Hooper PhD RN CPAN FAAN FASPAN
Vallire.hooper@ascension.org