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How can a quick bedside ultrasound transform patient safety in anesthesia? Today, Sharon and guest co-host Carole Doyscher, CRNA, BSN, MS, APRN explore the growing role of gastric point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), a tool helping anesthesia providers assess stomach contents in real time. Joined by Rachel Edgerton, DNAP, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, CHSE and three doctoral students from St. Mary’s University - Molly O’Neill, BSN, RN, Hannah Peine, BSN, RN, CCRN, CMC, Alyssa Klein, BSN, RN - the episode dives into their groundbreaking DNP project educating CRNAs on this skill.
This innovative technique allows anesthesia providers to assess a patient’s gastric content in real-time, providing critical information that can enhance airway safety and reduce the risk of aspiration during procedures. The group discusses why this tool is crucial in the age of GLP-1 medications, evolving ERAS protocols, and growing patient populations with comorbidities like diabetes and obesity. Listeners will gain insight into how gastric PoCUS can influence aspiration risk, sedation strategies, and clinical workflow—plus the barriers to adoption, including training, time, and technology.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🩻 How gastric PoCUS helps assess aspiration risk
💉 GLP-1 medications and their impact on NPO status
📈 DNP students’ national education project and outcomes
⚠️ Why current NPO guidelines are no longer enough
💬 Real-world barriers and solutions to implementing PoCUS in practice
Catch Sharon Live at the 53rd Annual Refresher Course for Nurse Anesthetists!
Join Sharon this November 14–16, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Walt Disney World Village, Florida, for the Frank Moya Continuing Education Program’s annual conference. She’ll be delivering four insightful talks as part of the guest faculty lineup.
Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and recharge—with some Disney magic on the side!
Click here for more details and to register
Important Links:
"One in eight people are on a GLP -1 and that's about 12% of adults. That's a significant amount of our population. That's why we feel like it’s so important to get this word out and, hopefully, have practitioners incorporated into their practice."
