Post-operative pain management in day surgery

Abstract

Background: The author carried out a literature review of post-operative pain management in day surgery units.

Conclusion: Based on this review, the article makes recommendations for: pre-operative information for patients about their proposed surgery and strategies for pain relief during their stay; a recovery protocol for the administration of intravenous opioids of choice, in titrated doses, by appropriately qualified nurses; and a protocol for the administration of oral analgesia by nurses, from a prescribed list, for patients in pain on the ward.