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Utilization Of the Apfel Screening Tool in the Reduction of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

DNP Project
2024

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Description

Purpose: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is an adverse event that predisposes patients to multiple complications, including dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and rehospitalization. Not only does this result in poor patient satisfaction, but it also financially burdens the healthcare system. The Apfel risk tool assists anesthesia providers in predicting PONV in high-risk patients and guides them in administering prophylactic treatment. Healthcare providers in ambulatory settings do not always use evidence-based tools to screen patients undergoing procedures with general anesthesia. Poor identification of high-risk patients can increase the incidence of PONV in this setting. This review aims to evaluate the literature by discussing various surgical procedures associated with increased risk of PONV, implementing and using the Apfel risk tool, provider compliance, and the prophylactic measures used to treat the patients. Methods: This literature review examined providers’ utilization of the Apfel screening tool in adult patients scheduled for ambulatory surgical procedures undergoing general anesthesia to evaluate the tool's effectiveness and incidence of PONV. Results: In reviewing 7 articles, researchers assessed how providers utilized the Apfel score, compiled with recommended prophylactic antiemetic protocols, and examined the incidence of PONV. Two studies had a lower incidence of PONV. However, there was no significant finding. In contrast, 4 other studies showed a significant decrease in the incidence of PONV with higher rates of provider adherence to prophylactic antiemetic agents. One study had a lower prevalence of PONV, postoperative nausea (PON), and postoperative vomiting (POV). Conclusions: The outcomes of this review provide a correlation between providers' compliance with appropriate numbers of prophylactic antiemetics according to the Apfel scoring tool, which may result in a lower incidence of PONV in the adult population in an outpatient setting.
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Record Data:

Program:
CRNA
Location:
Knoxville
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