title: Fundamentals of pain management in wound care.
abstract: Under-treated pain can result in a number of potentially serious sequelae (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, 2006), including delayed mobilization and recovery, cardiac complications, thromboses, pulmonary complications, delayed healing, psychosocial problems and chronic pain syndromes. This article considers pain management in the context of painful wounds. An international comparative survey on wound pain (European Wound Management Association, 2002) found that practitioners in the wound care community tend to focus on healing processes rather than the patient's total pain experience involving an accurate pain assessment and selection of an appropriate pain management strategy. Procedural pain with dressing removal and cleansing caused the greatest concerns. An overview of simple, evidence-based drug and non-drug techniques is offered as potential strategies to help minimize the experience of pain.
authors.affiliation: Acute Pain Service, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coulling
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003646:Debridement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal