1. Preoperative Beard Trimming
Kristina Coger, Brian Duggar, Kristin Barney, Rachel Kacmar, Scott Vogel

2. The QI Problem
Significant facial hair is a modifiable risk factor for difficult mask ventilation
Most patients with facial hair have no idea that their beards could be problematic for their anesthesia providers

3. -Morgan and Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology 5th Edition

4. -Basics of Anesthesia 6th Edition.

11. Intervention
“Significant facial hair can be a safety concern when undergoing anesthesia. If you have significant facial hair, many of our anesthesia providers recommend that you consider trimming or shaving 24 hours before your surgery. Please do not shave on the day of your surgery.”

13. Measuring Impact Survey distributed to pre-op Limitations
Did patients get the recommendation?
Did they trim/shave?
If not, why?
Limitations
Patient distress
Adding time
Nurse buy-in

15. Results

16. Results

17. Results
YES!!!

18. Results

19. Conclusions
Beards are an easily modifiable risk factor for difficult mask ventilation
The ease with which patients can be educated about this risk was not established here
Whether or not this education might be a patient dissatisfier or otherwise interfere with routine care was also not established