College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

Summer 8-20-2017

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Pamela Schwartz, DNP, CRNA

Second Advisor

Young Me Lee

Abstract

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be a problem for patients despite multimodal pharmacologic treatments available. Although acupressure has demonstrated clinical usefulness, it is still not widely used in mainstream anesthesia practice. Objectives: The purpose of this descriptive survey design was to assess current knowledge and attitudes among CRNAs and SRNAs regarding acupressure for PONV treatment. A secondary objective was to develop an educational handout designed to increase the use of acupressure as an adjunct to postoperative nausea and vomiting prevention using the findings from this current study. Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey design was utilized to assess the current knowledge and attitudes among CRNAs regarding the use of acupressure for PONV treatment. Results: A total of 109 out of 1200 members of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists completed the survey (9% survey response rate). Overall, participants had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes regarding acupressure for PONV management. Out of the 14 knowledge and attitude questions on the survey, the items with lowest mean scores indicated deficits in the knowledge on effectiveness of acupressure for PONV treatment (M = 2.81; SD = .518), its impact on surgical outcomes (M =2.71; SD = .628), and the enhancement of comfort for patients postoperatively (M =2.87; SD =.511). Among sociodemographic variables examined, females scored higher in overall knowledge and attitudes for use of acupressure for PONV (p = 0.12). Conclusions: Overall, CRNAs have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes regarding use of acupressure for PONV management, but lack knowledge on acupressure effects on patient comfort, efficacy of PONV relief and post-surgical outcomes. Areas of identified deficits were used to create an educational handout for CRNAs to further increase their knowledge and positive attitudes towards use of acupressure for PONV. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The development of an educational handout, designed to increase the CRNAs' knowledge and positive attitudes regarding use of acupressure for PONV, can potentially lead to standardized implementation of acupressure in anesthesia practice, and a decreased incidence of PONV in surgical patients.

SLP Collection

yes

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS