A study conducted in a Level 1 Trauma Center Pediatric Emergency Department showed that 79% of patients’ nausea was reduced or eliminated after using QueaseEASE®
AUTHORS: Sonya McBryde, BSN, RN, CPEN, CEN; Denise Langley, MBA, BSN, RN; Melinda Hartenstein, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN
DATE PUBLISHED: September 2017
READ THE FULL STUDY BELOW:
PURPOSE
Our staff wanted to offer a non-pharmacological option for nausea that is self-administered/controlled, nurse directed without continued nursing supervision, and has no limit /maximum use/frequency. Although QueaseEASE (QE) is widely used in labor/delivery, adult PACU, and adult/pediatric HemOnc areas; QueaseEASE has little previous use in pediatric or adult emergency departments.
DESIGN
The staff developed project compared standard pharmacological nausea relief usage before and after patients’ self-directed use of QueaseEASE. Cost analysis and patient satisfaction were trended.
SETTING
The study occurred in the public academic health center/research university level one trauma center pediatric emergency department.
PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS
Inclusion criteria: Any patient 2yrs and older that has not received Zofran within 30 minutes of presentation complaining of nausea. Exclusion criteria: Any mechanical or obstructive pathophysiology (appendicitis, bowel obstruction, intussusception etc.).
METHODS
After obtaining verbal consent from the patient/family, QueaseEASE is demonstrated by the staff member. QueaseEASE is left with the patient /family to self-administer. Patients, families or staff may halt the trial at any time. If no resolution of nausea occurs within 30 minutes, other measures are offered. Staff (RN) and patient/family (PT) complete a survey after the trial is completed or stopped. Utilization review of standard treatments were noted before and after the study.
RESULTS/OUTCOMES
40 cases total: males 38%, females 62%; Shifts: days 45%, evenings 40%, nights 15%. Ages: 17months (per mother’s request)-1, 2-4yo-10%, 5-7yo-10%, 8-10yo-18%, 11-13yo-13%, 14-16yo-28%, 17-19yo-20%. Chief complaints: Neuro: syncope, HA, TBI, CHI; Cardiac/Resp: asthma, CP, CF, pneumonia, pneumothorax; GI/GU: abd pain, kidney stones, DM, constipation, IUP, menses, ovarian cyst, UC, C diff complications; ENT: eye pain, sore throat; Musculoskeletal/skin: fractures, abscess; Other: HemOnc port concerns, drug/alcohol ingestions, anxiety, suicide gestures/ideation, depression.
Results of surveys (RN=nurse response, PT=patient/family response): Nausea reduced/eliminated 74% RN, 79% PT; Family satisfied 76% RN; Trial stopped at family request 10% (due to smell); Trial stopped due to nursing judgement 14% (60% patient not like the smell, 40% patient started vomiting); Additional interventions required 37% (Of which 75% patients still satisfied with QE, Of which 64% patients would still request QE first); Zofran/IVF 36%, Ativan 14%, Narcotic or pain med14%, IVF alone 28%, other antiemetic 7%; Patient would request QE again 79%PT (NOTE: not all survey questions were answered by all patients-percentages are from the answers given -so spreads are not always 100%).
IMPLICATIONS
Due to our small daily census (30-50) and exclusion criteria, the sample size is small (40) and over a 2-3month period. Girls were enrolled twice as often as boys. Teens were enrolled twice as often as school age. One 17mo was included per mom’s request due to her concurrent use of home essential oils during the triage. In spite of our small sample size, we had a broad representation of pediatric emergency department chief complaints. Overall patients and families were very satisfied with QueaseEASE (76%) and would request it again (79%). A year after QueaseEASE was approved for use in the pediatric emergency department, QueaseEASE is still frequently offered to school age and older patients with nausea and stress/anxiety related issues.