Title:
Observational acute pain study in admitted patients of a tertiary hospital in Spain
Author(s):
Rovira L.1, Alcover L.1, Mazzinari G.1, Collado B.1, Madrid E.2, Romero E.1
Institute(s):
1Hospital de Manises, Dept of Anaesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Manises, Spain, 2Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Facultad Medicina y Odontología, Valencia, Spain
Text:
Background: There are numerous sources that highlight the undertreatment of pain in hospitalized patients.This is not only a need but a right for patients. Many scientific societies guarantee it, including the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) with support from WHO.Pain is considered the fifth clinical constant [1]. The current status of pain in our hospital, is vital to plan and develop strategies in order to follow a Pain free Hospital.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was performed for 7 consecutive days to all patients admitted to a tertiary hospital of 300 beds. acute pain was collected by visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and in motion, VAS measurements were performed every 8 hours to all patients admitted, which generated more than 1350 VAS measurements of pain. Other variables of interest as the specific analgesic treatment (locoregional techniques),rescue analgesic medication administered, as well as sex, age, reason for admission, and specialty care was collected. Data was processed by SPSS v22 (IBM).Results: 246 patients (149 surgical and 97 medical) were evaluated, the prevalence of episodes of moderate to severe pain (VAS> 4) was 53% (132/246) of all patients admitted.69% of surgical patients and 30% of medical patients underwent moderate-severe pain episodes.The average number of episodes (VAS> 4) occurred 1.45 ±2.0 times.The results showed an average pain VAS of 1.69 ± 1.96 IC95{0,5.6} at rest and 2.42 ± 2.49 IC95{0,7.4} in motion.Rescue medication was administered to 38% of the observed patients (20% medical and 25% of surgical patients) .Being acetaminophen the most used drug.7.3% of all hospitalized patients received specific analgesic techniques 18/246. Corresponding to 1.6% (7) of medical patients and 5.7% (11) of surgical patients.Discussion: The data are consistent with similar studies in other centers [2], however, these data are far from the goal of "Pain Free Hospital". Conclusion: Pain assessment should be considered as the fifth leading vital sign.and it should be routinely evaluated.The percentage of patients with moderate-severe pain is unacceptable and more measures are needed to meet the goal of Pain Free Hospital.References: 1. Cano JM, de Juan S. Pain evaluation as the fifth vital parameter. Med Clin (Barc). 2007 Feb 3;128(4):159.2. Sommer M, de Rijke JM, et al The prevalence of postoperative pain in a sample of 1490 surgical inpatients.Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2008 Apr;25(4):267-74.