Six ‐year trends in postoperative prescribing and use of multimodal analgesics following total hip and knee arthroplasty: A single‐site observational study of pain management

ConclusionsWe observed significant practice change in inpatient analgesic prescribing in favour of multimodal analgesia, in keeping with contemporary recommendations. Surveys, however, appeared to identify a clinical gap in the bedside assessment and management of breakthrough pain and medication side ‐effects, requiring additional targeted interventions.SignificanceEvaluation of 6 ‐year trends in a large Australian metropolitan private hospital indicated substantial growth in postoperative multimodal analgesic prescribing. In the context of growing global awareness concerning multimodal analgesia, findings suggested diffusion of best‐evidence prescribing into clinical pra ctice. Findings indicated the effects of postoperative multimodal analgesia in real‐world conditions outside of experimental trials. Postoperative multimodal analgesia in the clinical setting was only associated with a modest reduction in rest pain, but substantially reduced interference from pain on activities and sleep.
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research