Implementation of a small bowel obstruction protocol at an urban public hospital

• Published in: Surgical practice 2016-05, Vol.20 (2), p.82-86
• Main Authors: Martinez, Antonio, Goldberg, Ross F., Dixon, Robert M., Thomas, Eric L., Davis, Karole M., Bogert, James N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: contrast media; diatrizoate oral contrast; Gastrointestinal surgery; prediction model; small bowel obstruction; surgery; Surgical outcomes
• ISSN: 1744-1625; 1744-1633
• DOI: 10.1111/1744-1633.12174

Aim The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with the implementation of a protocol for small bowel obstruction (SBO). Methodology A retrospective review of patients who presented with SBO between 1 March 2012 and 30 November 2014 were reviewed. Results Between 1 March 2012 and 30 November 2014, the protocol was administered to 49 patients with SBO and 49 patients were treated conventionally. Operative rates for the protocol group and the non‐protocol group were 6% and 18%, respectively (P = 0.06). Patients who received the protocol had an average hospital stay of 5.2 days. The non‐protocol group had an average stay of 7.2 days (P = 0.34). Time from admission to operating room (OR) was 35.2 h for the protocol group and 161.2 h for those who did not receive the protocol (P = 0.57). Mean OR time was 2.6 h for the protocol group and 2.3 h for the non‐protocol group (P = 0.68). Conclusion This study describes an urban public hospital's experience with a protocol for SBO. These findings suggest that an SBO protocol can be successfully implemented to decrease operative rates, length of stay, and time from admission to OR.