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In this episode of Grade 1 View, we had the privilege of speaking with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, a pioneer in the field of opioid-free anesthesia. As the president and founder of the Society of Opioid Free Anesthesia, Tom has dedicated his career to advancing pain management techniques that prioritize patient safety and comfort. Today he’ll share how his own clinical curiosity led him to abandon intraoperative opioids altogether, and what happened next. From reducing postoperative nausea to improving respiratory safety, this conversation will challenge you to question the status quo and expand your definition of what anesthesia can look like.
The reason we wanted to spend time on this topic is that opioid-free anesthesia is gaining traction in the medical community, and for good reason. With the ongoing opioid epidemic, healthcare professionals are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional opioid-based pain management. Tom's passion for this innovative approach stems from his firsthand experience in the operating room, where he witnessed the positive outcomes of multimodal analgesia.
Listen now and explore the future of pain management, enhanced recovery, and compassionate patient care.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💉 What “opioid-free anesthesia” really means
🧠 Why less fentanyl often leads to better outcomes
💊 Key meds used: Ketamine, Precedex, Lidocaine & more
🏥 How to get buy-in from surgeons, admins & care teams
🎓 Resources for students + a free membership offer
Important Links:
- Learn more about the Society of Opioid Free Anesthesia
- The 1099 CRNA Institute
- Donate to Our Heart Your Hands
- Earn MAC Dev Credit
"The strongest benefit of opioid free anesthesia is to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting."
- Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA
