In response to identified gaps in anesthesia care, a University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology team launched a project to enhance regional anesthesia skills among anesthesiologists and anesthesiology residents in rural Guatemala, ultimately improving patient outcomes and elevating the standard of care. This initiative was sparked by a study, “Assessment of Anesthesia Capacity in Public Surgical Hospitals in Guatemala,” published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, which revealed a lack of essential materials and personnel for safe anesthetic care in the country.
A Collaborative Effort
Partnering with Hospital Herrera and Universidad Rafael Landívar (URL) in Guatemala City, the UF team secured funding from the I. Heermann Anesthesia Foundation and support from the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation. Led by Federico Jimenez Ruiz, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, the team includes faculty members Barys Ihnatsenka, M.D., Juan Mora, M.D., Erik Taco Vasquez, M.D., and Steven Robicsek, M.D., Ph.D., along with fellow Juan Acosta, M.D., and resident Eduardo Walker, M.D.
The Benefits of Regional Anesthesia
A specialist in regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine, Jimenez Ruiz noted the advantages of regional anesthesia in rural settings: “In the context of rural Guatemala where access to conventional analgesics such as morphine and fentanyl is scarce, performing nerve blocks is crucial. Additionally, their anesthesia infrastructure is limited which increases the risks of delivering a general anesthetic. Nerve blocks are a great way to avoid unnecessary general anesthesia.”
The team developed a comprehensive course in Spanish, combining online learning with hands-on workshops. The curriculum covers basic ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and point-of-care ultrasound. The course consists of an initial online phase featuring 12 weeks of modules, followed by two immersive, in-person workshops led by UF instructors.
Future Impacts
Team members continue to communicate with the students at URL and have an ongoing group chat in which they offer clinical and academic support. With the support of our team, URL intends to host a national regional anesthesia workshop by the end of 2026, furthering the project’s impact.
“This project is a testament to the generosity of those willing to help, the enthusiasm of educators, and the dedication of healthcare professionals committed to their communities,” said Jimenez Ruiz.
With funding from the I. Heermann Anesthesia Foundation and the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation, the team provided access to an e-learning platform for 80 physicians, acquired three ballistic gel models, created a handbook for all participants, and covered travel expenses for the UF instructors. Additionally, the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation donated five ultrasound machines to Universidad Rafael Landívar, ensuring that participants have access to the necessary equipment.
Learn about our Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship.