Acute Pain Management in the Perioperative Setting

Anesthesiologists offering perioperative analgesia services should provide, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals as appropriate, ongoing education and training to ensure that hospital personnel are knowledgeable and skilled with regard to the effective and safe use of the available treatment options within the institution.

• Educational content should range from basic bedside pain assessment to sophisticated pain management techniques (e.g. , epidural analgesia, PCA, and various regional anesthesia techniques) and nonpharmacologic techniques (e.g. , relaxation, imagery, hypnotic methods).
• For optimal pain management, ongoing education and training are essential for new personnel, to maintain skills, and whenever therapeutic approaches are modified.

Anesthesiologists and other healthcare providers should use standardized, validated instruments to facilitate the regular evaluation and documentation of pain intensity, the effects of pain therapy, and side effects caused by the therapy.

Anesthesiologists responsible for perioperative analgesia should be available at all times to consult with ward nurses, surgeons, or other involved physicians.

• They should assist in evaluating patients who are experiencing problems with any aspect of perioperative pain relief.

Anesthesiologists providing perioperative analgesia services should do so within the framework of an Acute Pain Service.

• They should participate in developing standardized institutional policies and procedures.