Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan KY(1), Chan LK(1), Chow HM(1), Lai YT(1), Shum SM(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Anaesthesiology and Operating Theatre Services, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
Enhancing patient’s recovery and reducing the length of hospitalization is the upcoming trend to achieve better postoperative patient outcomes, i.e. optimizing their physiologic functions and facilitating recovery. In view of this, a focus group interview with the recovery room nurses was conducted and they raised most postoperative patients’ complaint about thirst and oropharyngeal discomfort after surgery. Worldwide studies about EOH have the proven effect to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This aroused our attention to implement the program in the recovery area. EOH program is an innovative project in acute hospital for the postoperative patients in order to promote their wellness and satisfaction in recovery room.
The aim of this program was to determine the effectiveness of applying the EOH program in reducing postoperative patient’s thirst and improve their wellness and satisfaction in the post-operative phase.
Objectives :
1) To reduce patient’s thirsty sensation and oropharyngeal discomfort.
2) To improve patient’s wellness and satisfaction.
3) To lower the PONV rate by implementation of the EOH program
Methodology :
To introduce a new program, we discussed and planned the framework of EOH with our anesthetist and surgeons so as to reach a consensus about the inclusion criteria of the program and to develop a streamlined workflow to enable our team of recovery room nurses to carry out the program.
Inclusion criteria included adult patients who undergo spinal anesthesia in urology and orthopedic specialists, agreed by the case anesthetist and postoperative order as ‘Diet as Tolerated’. Exclusion criterion was patients with history of dysphagia.
The program started from 20 April to 5 July in 2019, with the postoperative visit to collect patients’ comments on the pilot program.
Result & Outcome :
Most patients (86%) agreed there was an improvement on thirsty feeling after taken the maximum amount of water from the protocol and they gave positive comment when compared with their last experience in the operation theatre. Generally, EOH program does improve patient’s comfort and satisfaction after surgery in the pilot program.
Conclusion
The EOH program is a safe and effective project in enhancing the patient’s satisfaction and promoting their wellness in the postoperative phase. However, the result may not properly reveal that EOH can reduced PONV in this program. Further, we will extend our EOH program in different specialty to obtain greater sample size and result.
