Performance-Improvement Project: Increasing Nursing Knowledge of the Impact of Sugammadex in Female Patients Taking Steroidal Contraceptives

Purpose This process-improvement project improved postoperative education for female patients by facilitating the development of a topic-specific education program to improve knowledge and confidence among perianesthesia nurses in a military treatment facility. Design An educational program was developed and presented which reviewed the impact sugammadex has on steroidal contraceptive efficacy, evidence-based postoperative teaching strategies, and specific patient education recommendations for female sugammadex-exposed patients taking steroidal contraceptives. Methods Effectiveness was measured by comparing nurses' baseline knowledge and confidence scores before and immediately after presentation of the educational program. These results were then compared with 2-week reassessments to determine if lasting improvements were achieved. Findings Statistically significant increases in knowledge and confidence were achieved upon both postintervention assessments. Conclusions Interactive evidence-based educational interventions can effectively create sustained increases in knowledge and confidence among health care professionals which translates into improved postoperative patient education.