Reduced resource utilization in patients treated for postoperative nausea and vomiting with dolasetron mesylate. MCPR44 Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of four different increasing increasing intravenous (i.v.) doses of dolasetron mesylate (12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) versus placebo on resource utilization in patients who experienced and were treated for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study.


METHODS
620 ASA physical status I, II, and III male and female outpatients scheduled for surgery with general anesthesia.


METHODS
Patients who experienced postoperative nausea (duration > or = 5 min, self-reported as moderate to severe) or vomiting (> or = 1 emetic episode) within 2 hours of arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) were given a single i.v. dose of dolasetron mesylate (12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) or placebo infused for at least 30 seconds.


RESULTS
Resource utilization in the PACU was assessed by time spent by nurses and/or doctors with patients for PONV and the use of hospital resources such as patient/bed linens and staff/emesis supplies. A significantly (p < 0.05) lower proportion of dolasetron-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients required new patient/bed linens and staff/emesis supplies. Patients in the placebo group required the greatest amount of care from nurses and/or doctors compared to patients receiving dolasetron.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with dolasetron can significantly decrease the utilization of emesis supplies and other hospital resources, including staff/emesis supplies and patient/bed linens. In addition, patients receiving dolasetron used fewer health care resources in time spent by hospital personnel than patients who were not treated with dolasetron.
Kovac
A
A
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7415, USA.
Mingus
M
M
Sung
Y F
YF
Neary
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011997:Recovery Room; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000932:Antiemetics; D007211:Indoles; D011807:Quinolizines; C060344:dolasetron