The management of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is a critical component of general anesthesia, though national utilization patterns are not well known.

A retrospective analysis of US adult inpatients who underwent surgical procedures using neuromuscular blockade (NMB) with rocuronium and/or vecuronium between January 2014 and June 2019 was conducted to better understand how the utilization of NMB agents has changed over time in the US inpatient setting.

Among US adult inpatients administered NMBs, we observed complex relationships between patient, site, procedural characteristics, and NMB management choices as NMBA choice and active reversal options among inpatient cases changed over time.

These findings help us to better understand the anesthesia trends in the inpatient setting which will continue to change over time, particularly with the ongoing shift in care to the outpatient setting.