Pain ManagementPain Management
Research in recent years has demonstrated the importance of effective management of post operative pain. Effective pain relief is associated with reduced incidents of post operative complications and decreased hospital stays.
The Acute Pain Service (APS) was established at NHW in 2001 with the introduction of a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Acute Pain Services. The aim of this service is to provide a high quality pain management service to inpatients of NHW. In providing this service, skills and knowledge of both the Wangaratta Anaesthetic Group and specialised nursing staff members are utlised.
The APS provide:
- A resource for all clinical staff
- A Monday to Friday 'pain' round reviewing all patients with Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), Epidural, Spinal analgesia and patient referrals. A Consultant Anaesthetist attends once a week, providing the opportunity to incorporate clinical experience into an education forum.
- Implementation and monitoring of new protocols e.g. Antiemetic Protocol and Acute Adult Medication Protocol.
- Education, training and compulsory competency in the Pain Education Package. This contains all aspects of acute pain management.
- Ongoing development, evaluation and implementation of Protocols and Policies in Pain Management.
- Representation on clinical committees to evaluate patient outcomes.
- Patient follow up on discharge via phone and collation of data via spot and continuous audits.
The APS at NHW has also initiated the formation of a Regional 'Pain Group'. This group meets bi-monthly and has representatives from Goulburn Valley Health, Albury Base Hospital, Albury Private Hospital and Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.