title: What are the risks and knowledge deficits for prescribing and administering opioids in the ward environment? A quality project on assessing and improving knowledge.
abstract: Investigations into Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls and related clinical incident reviews at a large district teaching hospital provided evidence that over sedation can be a significant issue post opioid administration and that safe and effective pain management requires accurate opioid knowledge and patient assessment skills. The aim of the study was to develop education that was directed at identified knowledge deficits, and to evaluate the impact of this tailored education program on knowledge of safe prescribing and administration of opioids. Knowledge levels were explored using a structured questionnaire in a pre and post-test design. A convenience sample of 34 nurses and 5 junior medical officers across three surgical wards in a tertiary referral hospital had their knowledge assessed. Results showed significant improvement when repeat questionnaires were given two weeks post-delivery of education. Mean scores were 68% at baseline and 89% two weeks post completion of the education program. The greatest improvement in scores was recorded for drug knowledge including dose, half-life and administration. The findings from this study suggest that the opioid education program is effective in improving the knowledge of safe prescribing and administration of opioids, however further studies are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Sonia.Markocic@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markocic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Mair.Humphries@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Karin.Tarne@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tarne
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Michael.Watts@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Lisa.Collins@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009517:New South Wales; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Opioid toxicity; Opioids; Pain knowledge