Reducing the Pain in ICU Procedures

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Pain at rest is routinely noted among patients in intensive care units (ICUs), but pain during non-surgical procedures is reported less and the effects on patients are unknown. To assess this missing information researchers at the University of Montpellier Saint Eloi Hospital performed a study, which was published in BioMed Central’s open access journal Critical Care, that showed that being moved for nursing care, like washing and turning, is one of the most painful procedures experienced by the patient during their stay in the ICU. The study also found that serious adverse effects, such as cardiac arrest or problems with heart rate, were linked with severe pain during these procedures. During the study, researchers increased the amount of analgesics used and reduced severe pain while being moved as well as serious adverse effects. Dr. Gérald Chanques was quoted as saying, "Our nursing and medical staff reported an increased awareness throughout, and after the project.” For more information go to: http://ccforum.com/content/17/2/R74/abstract
SOURCE: Critical Care, April 2013