Improving anaesthesia for veterinary nurses: Five tips to enhance patient safety
Anaesthesia is a vital part of veterinary care, and veterinary nurses play a key role in ensuring procedures are safe and effective. However, anaesthesia can be complex, and without the right preparation, it can pose risks to patients. By following best practices and continuing to develop your skills, you can help improve patient outcomes and make anaesthetic procedures smoother for the whole veterinary team. Below, we’ll explore five key ways to improve anaesthesia for veterinary nurses, from pre-anaesthetic checks to ongoing professional development.
1. Conducting a thorough pre-anaesthetic assessment
Before any anaesthetic procedure, a full pre-anaesthetic check is essential. This helps identify potential risks and allows adjustments to be made to the anaesthetic plan.
A good pre-anaesthetic assessment includes:
- Checking heart rate, pulse quality, and respiratory rate.
- Listening to the heart and lungs for any abnormalities.
- Assessing mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time.
- Reviewing the patient’s history for any previous anaesthetic complications or underlying conditions.
While pre-anaesthetic blood tests can provide useful information, and sometimes change the anaesthetic plan (Mitchell et al 2018), one study (Alef et al, 2008) suggests that clinical examination findings are often more reliable in identifying potential concerns. By carrying out a thorough check, veterinary nurses can play their part in ensuring safer anaesthesia for their patients.
2. Increasing knowledge of anaesthetic medications
Understanding how anaesthetic drugs work is essential for safe and effective anaesthesia. While veterinary nurses don’t need to memorise complex pharmacology, they should be familiar with commonly used anaesthetics and their effects.
For example, alpha-2 agonists, such as medetomidine, cause sedation but can also slow the heart rate and reduce cardiac output. This means they may not be suitable for patients with heart disease. Similarly, certain opioids provide excellent pain relief but can cause respiratory depression if not carefully monitored.
Knowing when to use specific drugs, how to manage side effects, and how to reverse anaesthesia when needed is a crucial part of vet nurse anaesthesia. Regular training and CPD for veterinary nurses can help improve confidence and competence in this area.
3. Ensuring reliable intravenous access
Some veterinary teams skip intravenous (IV) catheter placement during short routine surgeries to save time. However, having IV access can make a significant difference in patient safety.
IV catheters allow for:
- Rapid administration of emergency drugs if complications arise.
- Improved fluid therapy to maintain blood pressure and circulation.
- Faster recovery through the administration of reversal agents when needed.
The best time to place an IV catheter is before a patient becomes unstable, not during an emergency. Practising catheter placement regularly, even on young and healthy patients, helps veterinary nurses improve their skills and work more efficiently.
4. Implementing structured protocols
Every veterinary practice should have clear protocols for anaesthesia. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensure that all team members follow the same steps, reducing errors and improving patient outcomes.
An effective SOP for anaesthesia should include:
- Pre-anaesthetic assessment guidelines
- Instructions for drug dosages and administration
- Monitoring checklists for heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels
- Post-operative care, including pain management and patient monitoring
By using structured protocols, veterinary nurses can help create a safer, more organised approach to anaesthesia in practice. SOPs can be created by the veterinary nursing team, or the team as a whole.
5. Advancing skills by taking vet nurse anaesthesia CPD
Continuing education is essential for staying up to date with the latest anaesthetic techniques. Whether you’re new to anaesthesia or looking to deepen your expertise, CPD can help you gain confidence and improve patient care.
An anaesthesia course is a great way to build knowledge and skills in anaesthesia. For example, our vet nurse anaesthesia certificate provides in-depth training on anaesthetic techniques, monitoring, pain management, and emergency protocols. This anaesthesia course is designed specifically for veterinary nurses, helping you develop advanced skills while fulfilling your vet nurse CPD requirements.
Conclusion
Anaesthesia is a core skill for veterinary nurses, and improving your knowledge and techniques can make a real difference to patient safety. By carrying out thorough pre-anaesthetic assessments, understanding anaesthetic medications, ensuring IV access, and following structured protocols, you can enhance both your confidence and the quality of care you provide.
Would you like to develop your anaesthesia expertise further? Join the next cohort of our vet nurse anaesthesia certificate (online or face-to-face in Swindon) today and take the next step in your veterinary career!
