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Use of standardized analgesia protocol linked with less pain among neurosurgical patients
Investigators of the study found postoperative pain among neurosurgical patients was significantly reduced with the implementation of a standardized analgesia protocol.
Researchers performed a prospective, interrupted time-series trial for 10 months to determine the impact of a quality improvement initiative that consisted of a standardized analgesia protocol for patients who underwent neurosurgery. The primary outcome was the patient-reported numeric rating scale pain on the first postoperative day. Factors correlated with postoperative pain were determined with univariate linear regression.
Results showed improvements in the documentation of preoperative and postoperative pain and use of multimodal analgesia. On the first postoperative day, investigators saw reductions for pain of 32% and 43%, respectively, for neurosurgical patients and spinal surgery patients when the protocol was used. Implementation of the protocol was a significant predictor for reduced postoperative pain after investigators controlled their findings for covariates. Compliance with the protocol and a significant reduction in the number of monthly naloxone doses were associated with decreased pain. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.