The workload of the recovery unit can be considerably increased by patients suffering post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The unit can often become blocked by patients too sick to discharge back to the main ward. Via a review of the literature and a small research study in the authors own recovery ward, it was concluded that PONV causes patients to stay in recovery longer. In fact the study reveals of those patients who did not receive an antiemetic perioperatively, 31% suffered PONV and those who had PONV spent 29 minutes longer in recovery.

Despite ondansatron being one of the most expensive drugs, it was only successful in 81% of cases. However those people who did receive ondansatron, spent an average of 8 minutes less time in recovery, compared with those who were not given it. These findings potentially have considerable cost implications, relevant in todays current climate of economy saving strategies. These findings and their implications are discussed.