Date of Award

Fall 2019

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Nina McLain

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Michong Rayborn

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

Airway management is a fundamental aspect of patient care when general anesthesia is being administered. Unfortunately, tracheal intubation can lead to the development of postoperative sore throat (POST) in the recovery room. POST is a minor yet preventable consequence of manipulation and injury of the airway mucosa. POST is routinely considered a minor postoperative complication; however, the occurrence of POST can have a negative influence on patient satisfaction as well as their perception of the perioperative experience. The etiology of POST is multifactorial, but evidence indicates that prevention is possible when evidenced-based practices are employed by anesthesia providers. A targeted review of the current literature explains that the topical application of ketamine or dexamethasone can mitigate the local inflammatory response that occurs with airway manipulation. By employing preemptive POST treatments anesthesia providers can produce a meaningful reduction in the incidence of POST.

This project utilized the evidence identified during the review of the literature to develop a POST prevention policy recommendation. The policy recommendation was created and presented to a panel of experts in the field of anesthesia. Following the presentation, the panel members were asked to complete a questionnaire and provide feedback regarding the policy recommendation. The resulting feedback from the questionnaires indicated that panel members were open to the implementation of policy that required the use of preemptive treatments for patients at risk for POST. This data was then incorporated into the construction of a POST prevention policy and executive summary to be presented to the panel of experts for the potential implementation at their facility.

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