Droperidol Undermining Gastroparesis Symptoms (DRUGS) in the Emergency Department
Authors: Natalie Stirrup, Gavin Jones, Jason Arthur, Zachary Lewis
Published in: American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2023 October 22
Conclusion:
- Droperidol administration in gastroparesis patients resulted in:
- Reduced opioid usage.
- Improved pain control.
- Decreased necessity for antiemetic medication.
- No differences were found in metrics such as:
- Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) per dose.
- Length of stay in both the ED and hospital.
- Hospital admission rates.
- Overall healthcare costs.
Results:
- From 431 patients, 233 were included in the study.
- Use of droperidol:
- Reduced the need for opioid therapy (46% vs 60% with P-value 0.0040).
- Decreased patient-reported pain scores by an average of 4 points.
- Lessened the requirement for antiemetic therapy (60% vs 73% with P-value 0.0045).
- No significant changes observed in:
- Emergency Department Length of Stay (ED LOS).
- Hospital Length of Stay (hospital LOS).
- Hospital admission rates.
- ED and hospital costs to the facility.
Stirrup, N., Jones, G., Arthur, J. and Lewis, Z., 2023. Droperidol undermining gastroparesis symptoms (DRUGS) in the emergency department. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.