Postoperative Epidural Morphine Is Safe on Surgical Wards

A Descriptive Study of a Perioperative Pain Service Program

“…Highest and lowest percentages correlated with the patients ratings (Stenseth et al, 1985). Ready et al (1991) The mean age was 49.6 with standard deviation of plus/minus 18.1 years.…”

“…The median score of pain at rest ranged from 0 (perineum surgery) to 1 in the remaining surgical categories. With activity, the median score of pain in perineum surgery increased to 3, abdominal and lower extreminity to 4, and thoracotomy to 5 (Ready et al, 1991).…”

“…Although, previous studies (Ready et al, 1991;Rygnestad, Borchgrevink, & Eide, 1997;Salomaki et al, 1996) have demonstrated that epidural narcotics can be safely administered on general medical/surgical wards, many facilities continue to require patients be admitted to the ICU for monitoring.…”

“…Urinary retention was not evaluated due to a large portion of the patients having foley catheters (Ready et al, 1991).…”

“…The ability to understand and identify potential complications was demonstrated to be necessary for safe and effective pain management. The study revealed that with education and training of nurses, medical supervision, and appropriate protocols for dosing, monitoring, and treatment of side effects, epidural morphine can be used effectively and safely on surgical wards (Ready et al, 1991).…”