AROUND THE CLOCK PAIN MANAGEMENT IN SURGICAL UNITS

Objective:The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the types of acute pain management (on demand (SOS) vs. around the clock (ATC)) and the quality of treatment for postoperative pain among patients hospitalized in a surgical department. Subject and Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study in a surgical division of an academic center from January 2014 until the end of April 2015that included patients over the age of 18 who underwent surgery.Patients completed three questionnaires: pain assessment, pain management patterns, and patient education. Results:The study included 172 patientswith an average age of 53.2 ± 18.1 years. The majority (94%) had pain of magnitude over 4 on the VAS scale. About half (60%) reported that the pain affectedtheir mobility or their sleep (50%). Half of the patients (54%)received pain relievers by muscle injections, and only 15% weregiven combined ATC and SOS analgesic treatment. Approximately a third (38%) did not receive any guidance on the possibility of receiving pain medication. There was a statistically significant difference in reported pain intensity between patients who received ATC versus SOS analgesics (X2=6.67, p=0.030). Conclusions:ATC analgesic regimen for postoperative pain was better tolerated by patients. There is a need to establish a unique body that will coordinate and manage acute pain management in the hospitals.