Original scientific paper
Pain Relief in Medical Patients: Does Clinical Judgment and Prescribing Knowledge Suffice?
Viktorija Erdeljić
Igor Francetić
Ksenija Makar-Aušperger
Robert Likić
Viola Macolić Šarinić
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of pain management in hospitalised patients. A cross-sectional study
design that included all medical patients experiencing pain was used. Out of 167 patients hospitalized at the Department
of Medicine at the University Hospital Zagreb, 41 patients were experiencing pain and 40 out of them received analgesics.
Twenty-two out of 38 patients were treated for malignant pain, 16 for non-malignant pain, and 2 patients could not be
classified. Adequate pain relief was reported in less than 25% of patients in both groups. Our study revealed under-prescribing
of combination therapy, low utilization rates of strong opioids and prevailing »as needed« prescribing practice.
In conclusion, unsatisfactory pain management in medical patients is often present if left solely to the clinical judgement
and knowledge of the prescribing physician. Regular pain assessment, evidence-based guidelines, education and regular
audits of implementation of these measures are a prerequisite for effective pain treatment, and should all be employed in
patients experiencing pain.
Keywords
pain; pain management; outcome assessment; medical patients; patient satisfaction
Hrčak ID:
68946
URI
Publication date:
24.6.2011.
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