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.

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

About our guest: https://goopioidfree.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/

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