Acute pain management and assessment: are guidelines being implemented in developing countries (Lebanon)
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 06/15/2012
Zeitoun AA et al. – This study reflects the lack of a well–structured system for pain management in Lebanese hospitals. It underlines the need for pain research in the region. It also highlights the need for implementing the recommendations discussed to minimize risk and optimize pain management.
Methods- A Lebanese multi–centre, prospective, chart review study was conducted over a period of 3 months.
- Data on demographics, pain medication, dose, route, duration and adjunct pain management were collected.
- Appropriateness of pain management was determined as per World Health Organization guidelines.
- Institutional Review Board approvals were obtained from each hospital.
- Results from 582 participants revealed that 50% of initial pain assessment intensity scores were based on the assumptions of health care professionals.
- Furthermore, as pain severity scores increased, the adequacy of pain management decreased.
- Only 22% of the patients had a daily follow–up, and the majority of those continued to receive inappropriate therapy.
