title: Monitoring sedation in patients receiving opioids for pain management.
abstract: Excessive sedation precedes opioid-induced respiratory depression. An evidence-based practice project standardized systematic sedation monitoring by nurses using an opioid sedation scale and respiratory assessment when opioids are administered for pain management. Nurses were educated and documentation updated. Nurses demonstrated increased ability to identify at-risk patients (3.2 pre-implementation; 3.6 post-implementation; 1-4 Likert scale) and reported understanding the tool to assess for oversedation (2.6 pre-implementation; 3.2 post-implementation). Documentation compliance improved, and patient safety was maintained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrington
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007484:Iowa; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D016134:Organizational Policy; D059408:Pain Management; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives