Increasing Access to Auricular Acupuncture for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Integrative Medicine
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication affecting over 30% of surgical patients.
• Current treatments for PONV can lead to increased costs and potential side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of auricular acupuncture (AA) as a treatment for PONV.
• To assess AA as a viable alternative or adjunct to antiemetic medications.

Main Methods:

• An evidence-based quality improvement project implemented AA for all adult surgical patients.
• A retrospective analysis compared outcomes for patients receiving AA versus standard care.
• Data from 210 patient records, including 25 who received AA, were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving AA had more baseline risk factors for PONV.
• PONV incidence, postanesthesia care unit length of stay, and opioid consumption were similar between groups.
• The AA group used less antiemetic medication, with high patient satisfaction (96%).

Conclusions:

• Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a safe and effective complementary therapy for managing PONV.
• AA offers a cost-effective and patient-preferred alternative to traditional antiemetics.
• Multimodal approaches incorporating AA are recommended for at-risk patients.