[Opiates in pain management: correct or underestimated use? Data from a university hospital].
OBJECTIVE
Opiates use, mainly in the treatment of acute intense pain (post-surgical patients) and chronic pain in oncologic patients has been usually underestimated in general clinical practice. This paper has the objective to assess the pattern of opiates use (Meperidin and Morphine), that is being used in Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).


METHODS
Medical teams prescriptions were analyzed using the following parameters: pattern of use, dose, interval and the use of concomitant analgesics. 1,107 prescriptions were analyzed, related to 445 inpatients, in the period from May to July of 1993.


CONCLUSIONS
Only 6.5% of all prescriptions were considered correct. The pattern if necessary was responsible for 74% of all prescriptions.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain, either acute or chronic, is not being adequately managed in our hospital.
Daudt
A W
AW
Serviço de Oncologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.
Hadlich
E
E
Facin
M A
MA
Aprato
R M
RM
Pereira
R P
RP
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D008614:Meperidine