Pain management at inpatient wards of a university hospital.

Authors :: Ribeiro SB
Pinto JC
Ribeiro JB
Felix MM
Barroso SM
Oliveira LF
Felix AA
Nascimento Vd
Ribeiro MF
Sousa FA
Source :: Revista brasileira de anestesiologia [Rev Bras Anestesiol] 2012 Sep-Oct; Vol. 62 (5), pp. 599-611.
Publication Year :: 2012
Abstract: Background and Objectives: This is an exploratory, descriptive and transversal study aiming to determine the prevalence, characterization, location, and measurement and discuss pharmacological analgesic measures for acute pain management in five inpatient wards of a university hospital.<br />Method: We enrolled 856 subjects in the study, of whom 272 were in pain at the time. Information related to pain was obtained using a bedside structured interview. Numeric pain scale and body diagram were used.<br />Results: Analgesia was assessed through medical records. The overall prevalence of pain was 31.8%, with severe pain in 44.2% and mean of 6.6 on numeric pain scale. The main reason was trauma and the most common site the abdomen. The most widely used analgesic was dipyrone (76.1%) with/without combination. Strong opioid was prescribed to 4.4%. For 27.5% there was no improvement.<br />Conclusion: We conclude that pain is highly prevalent, poorly evaluated, undertreated, with inappropriate use of analgesics.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)