Supplemental Intraoperative Intravenous Fluid Administration among Patients Undergoing Surgical Procedures and General Anesthesia for the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Retrospective Chart Review

Abstract

Background and Review of Literature: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common patient complications following general anesthesia. Recent literature supports the practice of supplemental intravenous fluid administration to patients receiving general anesthesia with no risk of fluid volume overload. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to assess the overall occurrence of PONV and to determine if patients who experienced PONV after receiving general anesthesia, were administered supplemental intravenous fluids during the intraoperative period. Methods: The project consisted of a retrospective chart review. A total of 342 electronic health records (EHRs) were reviewed and 57 patients were included in the DNP project. Implementation Plan: A project site was identified; a retrospective chart review was conducted, examining one month of patient EHRs who underwent general anesthesia. Data was collected and analyzed via Microsoft Excel, which included the amount of intravenous fluids received during the intraoperative period, weight, gender, surgical procedure, and ASA physical status. Implications/Conclusions: At the completion of the retrospective chart review, it was discovered that 57 (17%) out of 342 patients who underwent general anesthesia were treated for PONV. Of the 57 patients, 50 (88%) did not receive intraoperative supplemental intravenous fluids. Only 7 (12%) patients received greater than 15mL/kg of intravenous fluid during the intraoperative period