Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Discharge from Outpatient Surgery Centers

Abstract

We examined patients' experiences with nausea and vomiting after they were discharged from outpatient surgical centers. Data were collected on 211 surgical outpatients at 24-48 h after discharge via a telephone interview conducted by outpatient surgery nurses, and at 5 days after discharge via a patient-completed questionnaire. Telephone interviews were conducted with 193 patients. Questionnaires were completed by 154 patients. Over 35% of patients experienced postdischarge nausea and vomiting. Most had not experienced nausea and vomiting in the recovery room. The severity of nausea for these patients averaged 5 on a 10-point scale (10 indicating very severe nausea). During the 5 days after discharge, these patients reported experiencing nausea for an average of 1.7 days and vomiting for 0.7 days. Patients who experienced postdischarge nausea and vomiting were not able to resume their normal daily activities as quickly as those who did not. Patients managed postdischarge nausea and vomiting with little contact or intervention from health professionals and with minimal product purchases. The results indicate that postdischarge nausea and vomiting is common after outpatient surgery, and that it results in substantial distress and impairment for patients who experience it.

Evaluation of Patient Comfort with Outpatient Orbital Surgery

“…Postoperative nausea and/or vomiting immediately after discharge occurs in 35% of patients and 19% of patients report that this lasts at least 24 hours after surgery (Carroll et al, 1995;Simons, 2000).…”

Prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting: controversies in the use of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine subtype 3 receptor antagonists

“…The incidence of nausea and vomiting generally is higher after discharge from the ambulatory surgery facility than while still in the surgical facility. In one study, [112], the incidence of PONV in the recovery room was approximately 24%, whereas the incidence of PDNV within 5 days of the procedure was approximately 47%. Two systematic reviews [113,114] evaluated the incidence of PDNV.…”

ASPAN’S Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and/or Management of PONV/PDNV

“…27 PDNV occurs in 35 to 50% of patients; however, it is possible that the incidence of PDNV is higher than estimated because of underreporting of these symptoms. [28][29][30] PONV is the most commonly reported patient fear before elective surgery, 24,26 and it is rated by patients as being more debilitating than postoperative pain 25,31 or the surgery itself. 24 The adverse effct of both PONV and PDNV are extensive and include aspiration, wound dehiscence, prolonged postoperative hospital stays, unanticipated hospital admission after outpatient surgery, delayed return of a patient's functional ability in the 24-hour period after surgery, and lost time from work for patients and care providers at home.…”