Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-5g6vh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T02:41:37.292Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Nurse led Innovation in the Administration of Epidural Infusions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2009

Heidi Wootton
Affiliation:
the University of Leicester
Get access

Extract

Whilst there is a multitude of literature available on the efficacy of continuous epidural infusions following major surgery (Buggy & Smith 1999, Rawal 1998, Macintyre & Ready 1997), little attention is paid to the administration of these infusions. Some hospitals keep patients in HDU/ITU (Audit Commission, 1997) following surgery because of problems in administration of epidural infusions on the ward. This article describes an innovation in epidural administration which has been successfully implemented in two NHS Trusts. The system is safe, cost effective and allowed us to use our existing syringe pumps.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Association of Anaesthetic and Recovery Nursing 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Audit Commission, (1997) Anaesthesia Under Examination, Audit Commission, HMSO, LondonGoogle Scholar
DJ, Buggy., & G, Smith., (1999) Epidural Anaesthesia and analgesia: better outcome after major surgery? British Medical Journal, 319: pp 530531Google Scholar
H, Kehlet., & T, Mogensen, (1999) Hospital stay of 2 days after open sigmoidectomy with a multimodal rehabilitation programme, British journal of Surgery, 86, pp 227230Google Scholar
H, McQuay., Moore A., & D, Justins., (1997) Fortnightly review: Treating acute pain in hospital, British Medical Journal, 314: 1531Google Scholar
P E, Macintyre., & LB, Ready., (1997) Acute Pain Management - A Practical Guide, WB Sounders, LondonGoogle Scholar
M, Madeo., Samaan, ., Allison., Wilson J.Ae., Martin C.R., (1999) Contamination of bags for continuous epidural infusion, Acute Pain, 2: (3) pp 125128Google Scholar
N, Rawal (1998) Postoperative pain and it's management pp5188 IN Management of Acute and Chronic Pain, (Eds): Jones RM., Aitkenhead AR., & Foex P., BMJ Books, LondonGoogle Scholar
Royal College of Surgeons and College of Anaesthetists, (1990). Commission on the provision of surgical services. Report of the Working Party on Pain after Surgery, HMSO, LondonGoogle Scholar
SA, Schug., (1999) Intramuscular opioids - the slow extinction of a dinosaur!, Acute Pain, 2 (2): pp 5658Google Scholar