Audit of Nausea and Vomiting Management in Palliative Care Hospital Patients

Aim: To investigate prescribing patterns of antiemetics for palliative care hospital patients and to compare them with best practice guidelines. Method: A retrospective audit of nausea and vomiting management was undertaken for 70 patients referred to the hospital Palliative Care Service. Results: 19 patients presented with uncontrolled nausea and/or vomiting. An antiemetic was prescribed for 43 (61%) patients, with dopamine antagonists the most commonly prescribed. Patients taking regular antiemetics had better symptom control compared to patients taking prn (when required) doses. The 5- hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonists were prescribed in accordance with best practice guidelines in only one-quarter of cases. Conclusion: In the majority of cases, antiemetics were prescribed according to best practice guidelines. Regular antiemetics (rather than prn) provide better symptom management.