AB237. SOH25_AB_200. Stop Before You Block

Background: The “Stop Before You Block” initiative is a quality improvement project at University Hospital Limerick aimed at enhancing patient safety by implementing a standardized protocol to confirm the correct site before peripheral nerve blocks. Wrong sided nerve blocks are classified as never events. This initiative seeks to reduce the incidence of wrong-sided nerve blocks, a serious complication in anaesthesia practice.

Methods: A survey was conducted among anaesthetic staff to assess the willingness to adopt the “Stop Before You Block” protocol. Key aspects evaluated included current practices, perceived importance, support for implementation, and barriers to adoption.

Results: The survey revealed that 75% of respondents do not currently use any formal protocol to prevent wrong-sided nerve blocks, indicating a significant opportunity for improvement. While 96.9% of respondents emphasized the importance of the initiative, 59.4% identified lack of awareness as a major barrier. Remarkably, 93.8% expressed willingness to support the guideline’s implementation.

Conclusions: The positive feedback from the survey led to the development of a strategic plan that includes stakeholder engagement, education and training, and visual reminders in the operating environment. The initiative aims for 100% compliance with the protocol and zero incidents of wrong-site nerve blocks. Continuous monitoring, regular audits, and ongoing education will ensure sustained engagement and awareness. This initiative represents a crucial step toward enhancing patient safety in the department of anaesthesia.

Keywords: Anaesthesia; nerve block; patient safety; stop; wrong site