Patterns For Acute Postoperative Pain Management In The National Referral Hospitals In Asmara, Eritrea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the current practice of acute
postoperative pain management in the 3 major referral hospitals
of Asmara, Eritrea.
Methods: Cross sectional survey of 50 (out 70) medical professionals
who care for postoperative patients by means of a questionnaire.
The questionnaire included 16 questions in the following
categories: availability of analgesic drugs, pain assessment, prescribing
pattern of analgesics for post operative pain management,
tools, equipment, techniques, judgment about adequacy of analgesia,
causes of inadequacy, documentation of pain and consequent
treatment and continuing medical education regarding pain management.
The 50 postoperative care providers were 12 surgeons,
13 nurse anaesthetist, 5 nurses and 20 health assistants.
Results: None of the participants reported the use of regional analgesia,
transdermal patches or multimodal approach. The majority
(75%) of the participants preferred NSAI as a sole analgesic (Diclofenac
i.m.) followed by Pethidine i.m. Analgesia was reported
to be inadequate by majority (52%). Poor documentation was observed
as eighty percent of nurses and health assistants don’t document
any patient complaints and/or consequent interventions.
The major constraint reported was lack of continuing medical education
after graduation (92%). Other problems were unavailability
of analgesic drugs (68%), improper prescription of the analgesia
(58%) and underutilization of Physician service to manage pain
(52%) .
Conclusion: T

Author(s): Tekleweini Welday Kidane

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article