Improving analgesic prescribing in a general teaching hospital.
Patients suffering from cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease at a teaching hospital were found to have poorly controlled pain. Many were prescribed inappropriate analgesia. A palliative care service was established to provide symptom control for patients and education for staff. Educational materials were developed, didactic teaching organized, and one-to-one education by case discussion provided to improve patient management. A repeat survey to evaluate the service showed an increase in the use of appropriate opioids, such as morphine and diamorphine, and a decrease in the use of buprenorphine and papaveretum, which are less suitable for use in chronic cancer pain. The acceptability of the guidelines and rapid availability of a palliative care opinion has improved analgesic prescribing.
McQuillan
R
R
Palliative Medicine, Holme Tower Marie Curie Centre, Penarth, South Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom.
Finlay
I
I
Branch
C
C
Roberts
D
D
Spencer
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics