Nurse-Led Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Gastrointestinal Function Recovery in Women After Cesarean Delivery

This study aims to help women recover their gastrointestinal function after a cesarean delivery. We will use a nurse-led, evidence-based approach and evaluate how well it works in a clinical setting.

Using the continuous quality improvement model, evidence was translated into clinical quality audit indicators to develop interventions. These interventions compared the implementation of evidence-based practices before (August - December 2023) and after (March - July 2024) enhancing medical staff's knowledge. The aim was to improve the execution rate of indicators related to gastrointestinal function recovery. Key variables analyzed included perioperative fasting duration, pain (VAS), anxiety (GAD-7), time to first flatus, and incidences of thirst, hunger, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal distension.

The study incorporated sixteen pieces of evidence and established eighteen review criteria. A comparative analysis conducted before and after the implementation of evidence-based practice revealed a significant increase in the evidence-based assessment score for healthcare professionals regarding the promotion of post-caesarean gastrointestinal function recovery, with scores rising from 57.84 ± 7.50 to 90.00 ± 7.07 points (P < 0.01). Additionally, the execution rate of all eighteen review criteria showed significant improvement (P < 0.05). The time to first anal exhaust was reduced from 32.19 ± 20.48 hours to 20.25 ± 8.14 hours (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the incidence of thirst decreased from 56.41% to 23.81% (χ² = 35.97, P < 0.01), hunger from 48.72% to 16.67% (χ² = 38.13, P < 0.01), nausea or vomiting from 35.90% to 11.90% (χ² = 25.93, P < 0.01), and bloating from 27.56% to 14.29% (χ² = 8.70, P = 0.003).

The implementation of nurse-led, multidisciplinary evidence-based practice effectively facilitates gastrointestinal recovery and improves postoperative comfort and satisfaction among women following elective caesarean section.