Can PONV Education Increase Awareness of PONV Implications and Encourage the PONV Guidelines Adherence by the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

Abstract

Purpose: This project aims to improve adherence to postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) guidelines and encourage intent change of practice by providing education to Nurse Anesthesia providers. Background: PONV is a common and distressing complication following surgical procedures, negatively impacting patient satisfaction and recovery. The incidence of PONV has remained steady despite all the recent medical evidence and efforts to reduce it. Existing literature highlights anesthesia personnel’s poor adherence to available PONV protocols as an important contributor to this issue. Methods: The primary focus of this project, through presentation to the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), is to increase knowledge and intent to change practice. A participant handout was provided, including a project description, a consent form for participation, and educational materials in the form of a decision aid encompassing evidence-based guidelines, including the latest recommendations in PONV prevention and management. A pre- and post-education assessment was administered to obtain insight into the effectiveness and impact of the interventions provided. Results: For this QI project, an educational session on PONV guidelines and management was offered to 37 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Eight CRNAs opted out of participating. The intervention phase involved 29 CRNAs who underwent a pre-educational assessment, attended the education session and completed a post-educational evaluation. The presentation highlighted PONV guidelines for prevention and treatment to increase knowledge and encourage intent to change practice. The results showed an increase in CRNAs intent to change practice mean value from a 3.5 pretest to a 4.53 posttest with a p-value of 0.010. Furthermore, the knowledge mean value increased from 3.55 to 4.77 with a p-value of 0.009, which represents a significant statistical value. ConclusionThe quality improvement (QI) project exemplifies how educational interventions can benefit anesthesia providers, effectively increasing their awareness of postoperative nausea and vomiting. 29 surveys were collected and analyzed. The instrument exhibits a significant improvement in each item after the educational sessions showing a significant rise in knowledge, emphasizing the significance of continuous professional growth. Additionally, providers had the intention of changing their practices according to current guidelines, showing their flexibility and receptiveness to evolving best practices.