The pain team supports ward staff with providing patient controlled analgesia (PCA) and epidural pain relief. The pain team is usually available to trouble-shoot pain problems throughout the day.
Besides direct clinical responsibilities, we promote competent practice by providing clinical guidelines and standards and regular teaching sessions for all Trust staff, and are actively involved in audit and research.
The inpatient pain service provides the Trust with:
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the latest pain management information
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consultant sessions
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specialist equipment
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documentation and charts
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multidisciplinary education and training programmes
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policies, protocols and guidelines in pain management and clinical advice and care.
Traditionally the pain service reviewed only post-operative patients, but this has changed over the years as staff have become better trained in managing standard post-operative patients.
We now advise on and manage more difficult cases of inpatient care involving:
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complex surgery on high-risk patients
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complex patients, i.e. sufferers from acute or chronic pain, cancer pain, opioid dependence or substance misuse
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prevention of chronic pain by good acute pain management
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recognition and early treatment of neuropathic pain
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non-surgical patients, i.e. medicine, obstetrics, ITU/HDU, vascular and trauma
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specific vulnerable groups: the elderly, pregnancy, paediatrics, and patients with liver and renal problems in pain.
