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Educated Hand Publishing LLC 
“The Science Behind the Art” 
Volume 8 - No. 7 2020 

 Anesthesia eJournal - Online
ISSN 2333-2611

Page 21

Mobile Anesthesia Applications as Point-of-Care Tools for CRNAs in Clinical Practice
Bevin Rene Strickland, DNP, RN, CRNA
Affiliation:
Carolina Anesthesiology, P.A., High Point Medical Center, High Point NC

Daniel M. Strickland, MS, MD, FACOG
Affiliation: 
Medical Director, Stepping Stone of NC, Boone, NC

Funding/Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 
None

KEYWORDS:  Mobile apps; health care apps; anesthesia apps; mobile technology; CRNA; nurse anesthesia; point-of-care tools; 
POC tool

Abstract
The practice of anesthesia requires knowledge of procedures, patient conditions, comorbidities, and medications, as well 
as the ability to continually assess and respond to the patient’s status. The use of mobile anesthesia applications (apps) 
has become increasingly common among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to provide immediate ac-
cess to current information regarding anesthesia administration and to support optimal patient care. The purpose of this 
study was to assess the use of mobile anesthesia apps used by CRNAs as point-of-care (POC) tools in their anesthesia 
practice.
Data reported was collected from a survey designed to sample CRNAs who have been in practice for three years or less 
(“recent” graduates) and who utilize mobile anesthesia apps. The survey was offered to members of a Facebook group 
called CRNAs and SRNAs.  A total of 160 practicing CRNAs completed the survey and reported the ways they currently 
use a mobile anesthesia app. Users report benefits to practice from using these apps.  This data should be encouraging to 
the developers of mobile health care apps and a motivating factor for more practitioners to utilize them.

INTRODUCTION
The practice of administering anesthesia is in a continuous state of growth and change, which presents a challenge to both the novice, 
as well as the experienced practitioner.  Mobile apps, specific to the practice of anesthesia, can provide immediate access to up-to-date 
information on techniques, specific patient populations, medications, surgical procedures, and patient conditions, as well as other tools 
that can assist practitioners in optimal management of cases1,2,3,4,5.  Such technologies have been successful in many areas of health 
care practice and can play an important role in reducing errors and improving patient outcomes6,7,8,9.  The most commonly used apps 
by anesthesia providers (anesthesiologists, CRNAs) include Epocrates, followed by a combination of Vargo Anesthesia, Medscape and 
Blockbuddy8.

AEJ



Educated Hand Publishing LLC 
“The Science Behind the Art” 
Volume 8 - No. 7 2020 

 Anesthesia eJournal - Online
ISSN 2333-2611

Page 22

METHODOLOGY
The purpose of the project was to examine the use of mobile apps 
by CRNAs in their practice.  A literature review was conducted 
using CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PMC, PubMed, and Re-
searchGate databases. Search terms used for the review included 
“health care apps”, “mobile anesthesia apps”, “mobile apps as 
point-of-care tools”, “common areas in anesthesia”, “technology 
to improve health care”, “mobile devices in health care”, “smart-
phones in health care”, and “mobile apps to decrease perioperative 
errors”.
A survey (Appendix A) was developed using the Technology 
Acceptance Model (TAM), a theoretical framework that explains 
how a user’s perception of usefulness and ease of use will determine 
whether or not they utilize available technology2.  Volunteers were 
recruited from a private Facebook group named “CRNAs and SR-
NAs”, consisting of practitioners who use mobile anesthesia apps 
and are currently in practice with 3 years, or less, of experience.  A 
group post explained the purpose of the survey consisting of 11 
questions that included multiple-choice, fill-in-the blanks, and 
yes/no answers.  Years of experience, clinical practice setting(s), 
specific mobile app(s) used, and opinions about standardization 
of mobile apps were also elicited. Data collection took place from 
June 13, 2019 through June 29, 2019, with 169 participants: 9 did 
not use apps, and 160 completed the survey.
159 participants responded to the question regarding which spe-
cific mobile app(s) they use.  96.2% use Vargo Anesthesia.  Other 
ancillary apps included Block Buddy, ASRA Coags, SafeLocal, 
Heartpedia, UpToDate, Micromedex, Mednax CSA, Sanford 
Guide, Pedi Anesthesia, Epocrates, Medscape, MedEx, Pedi 
STAT, as well as anesthesia drug handbook and textbook apps.
RESULTS

 

Figure 1. Years of experience as a CRNA.

Figure 2. Clinical Practice Setting.

 
Figure 3. Length of time using a mobile anesthesia app as a 

practicing CRNA 

Figure 4. Data referenced using mobile health care apps.

Figure 5. Purpose of using mobile anesthesia apps. 
 

 

 

Figure 6. When CRNAs are most likely to use a mobile anes-
thesia app. 



Figure 7. Impact of using mobile anesthesia apps on CRNA 
practice. 

Figure 8. Opinions on the standardization of mobile anesthesia 
by hospitals (N=160).

Figure 9. Mobile anesthesia apps positively or negatively con-
tributing to CRNA practice.

DISCUSSION
It has been opined that mobile apps provide ready access to 
necessary information10,11 that would otherwise only be available 
in textbooks, but there is a lingering belief that mobile devices 
present a distraction from patient care or even that the use of mo-
bile devices in a patient care setting is unprofessional12.  Even in 
this time of a computer in every pocket, some voice concern that 
they do not have the skills or knowledge to effectively use them.  
But considering that anesthesia is one of the most technology-in-
tensive fields in healthcare practice, those attitudes are rapidly 
becoming anachronistic.
This study did not address such issues, nor was it intended to do 
so.  But the data do demonstrate that the willingness of recent 
CRNAs to use mobile apps as POC tools is largely dependent on 
their ability to recognize the usefulness (and hopefully the limita-
tions) of these apps in the practice setting.
As a caveat, although many anesthesia providers regularly use 
mobile health care apps, their employers may not explicitly autho-
rize, monitor, or provide oversight for their use, and such issues 
should be broached before using them in the OR.  A follow-up 
study would address usage and attitudes among more experienced 
CRNAs to evaluate the evolving needs for access to data before, 
during, and after procedures requiring anesthesia.
Appendix A.  Survey Questions
How many years have you been in practice as a CRNA?

In what clinical setting do you practice as a CRNA?

Do you currently use a mobile anesthesia app for a resource in 
your practice as a CRNA?

What mobile anesthesia app(s) do you use?

Approximately how long have you used a mobile anesthesia app 
as a practicing CRNA?

What categories best describe the data that you reference from 
your mobile anesthesia app?

For what purpose do you use your anesthesia app?

When are you most likely to use your anesthesia app? 

Complete the following statement in the best way possible in 
reference to your use of a mobile anesthesia application (you may 
choose more than one selection).

Do you think hospitals should standardize the use of a mobile 
anesthesia app(s) for their anesthesia providers, including paying 
for any fees to support use of the app(s)?

Do you think mobile anesthesia apps are a positive or a negative 
contribution to your profession?

Educated Hand Publishing LLC 
“The Science Behind the Art” 
Volume 8 - No. 7 2020 

 Anesthesia eJournal - Online
ISSN 2333-2611

Page 23



References
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bitstream/handle/10024/136564/gomeyac_shielou.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
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About the Authors
Dr. Bevin Strickland is a recent graduate from University of North Carolina, Greensboro Nurse Anesthesia Program. She is currently 
practicing with Carolina Anesthesia, serving Wake Forest Baptist Health, High Point Medical Center, NC.
Dr. Daniel Strickland is Medical Director of WJ Medical Associates where he serves as collaborating physician for a group of ad-
vanced practice providers in family medicine, pediatrics, and occupational health.  He is also  medical director for Stepping Stone of 
North Carolina, a state approved opioid treatment program. 
https://www.doximity.com/pub/daniel-strickland-md

Educated Hand Publishing LLC 
“The Science Behind the Art” 
Volume 8 - No. 7 2020 

 Anesthesia eJournal - Online
ISSN 2333-2611

Page 24


