Protocol for the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Anaesthetic Safety

KEIT DAY HOSPITAL

Protocol for the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Official Manual of Clinical, Care and Organizational Protocols

1. Document Control Information

2. Scope of Application

Applicable to all patients undergoing general anesthesia or sedation, with the intensity of preventive and therapeutic measures adjusted according to the individual risk profile.

3. Responsibilities

• Anesthesiologist: risk stratification and selection of prophylaxis.
• Recovery room and ward staff: monitoring, rescue treatment and hydration management.

4. Operating Procedure

• Assess the risk of PONV during the preoperative phase.
• Administer multimodal pharmacological prophylaxis to patients at moderate or high risk.
• Whenever possible, favor anesthetic and analgesic techniques that reduce the risk of PONV.
• Monitor the patient in the PACU and ward for nausea, vomiting, tolerance of oral fluids and signs of dehydration.
• Administer rescue therapy according to the internal algorithm when prophylaxis is insufficient.
• Review the management plan at discharge if symptoms persist.

5. KEIT Operational Standards

• The risk of PONV is considered an integral part of the anesthesia assessment and TIVA plan.
• Nausea is not treated as a minor complaint, but as an indicator of postoperative quality and safety.

6. Records and Documentation

• PONV risk assessment.
• Prophylactic and rescue therapies.
• Monitoring in the recovery room and ward.

7. Review and Updates

Periodic analysis of postoperative outcomes and patient reports.

8. Related Attachments and Forms

• Operational checklists, recording forms, audit sheets and maintenance registers applicable to this protocol.
• Any department-specific or equipment-specific technical attachments are referenced in the relevant local operating instructions.

9. Final Approval