Oligoantiemesis or Inadequate Prescription of Antiemetics in the Emergency Department: A Local and National Perspective
- PMID: 27189662
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.03.019
Oligoantiemesis or Inadequate Prescription of Antiemetics in the Emergency Department: A Local and National Perspective
Abstract
Background: Nausea and vomiting are common, but prevalence of antiemetic use in ED patients is unknown.
Objectives: We determined the use of antiemetics in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with nausea and vomiting (NV).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of ED patients presenting to a local ED with NV and analyzed data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey for similar patients to determine the frequency of administration of antiemetics in the ED.
Results: Of 3876 patients presenting to a local ED with NV in 2014, 2637 (68% [95% confidence interval (CI) 67-69%]) received an antiemetic. Of an estimated 11.3 million U.S. ED visits for NV in 2011 (the latest year available), antiemetics were prescribed in 56% (95% CI 53-59%). Females, older patients, and those with vomiting were more likely to receive antiemetics. Use of antiemetics was associated with reduced admissions in the single institution (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.74), but not in the national database (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.74-1.60).
Conclusions: Many patients presenting with NV do not receive antiemetics while in the ED. Effort should be made to further study and reduce the phenomenon of undertreatment of nausea or vomiting, coined "oligoantiemesis."
Keywords: antiemetics; emergency department; nausea; vomiting.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Comment in
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Oligoantiemesis: A Premature Neologism for an Intervention Insufficiently Substantiated in the Emergency Setting.J Emerg Med. 2017 Mar;52(3):366-368. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.07.118. Epub 2016 Oct 6. J Emerg Med. 2017. PMID: 27720539 No abstract available.
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Oligo-evidence for antiemetic efficacy in the emergency department.Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Jun;35(6):921-922. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.03.012. Epub 2017 Mar 10. Am J Emerg Med. 2017. PMID: 28359632 No abstract available.
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