title: Pre-operative analgesia for acute surgical patients: no place for complacency.
abstract: Pain is common in patients presenting with acute surgical conditions but there has been little discussion of the provision of pre-operative analgesia. This study analyses the pattern of pre-operative analgesic administration and questions the practices of the admitting medical officers in a district hospital. It shows that pre-operative analgesia is often omitted or that an unduly long time is taken to administer it. We suggest that this is an area worthy of audit.
authors.affiliation: East Birmingham Hospital.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bentley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid