Abstract
Introduction: Review of opioid prescriptions in a hospital provides valuable information to health care professionals which may contribute to proper pain management; opioid utilization studies may help uncover factors that can be improved for better prescribing. To evaluate the use of opioid analgesics in a university hospital, a review of opioids prescribed in hospitalized patients was developed. Methods: Information was obtained from the pharmacy database and medical records. The study period was 1 month. Results: Medical records of 1156 patients admitted in July 2009 were analyzed. The most widely prescribed opioid was tramadol; the preferred administration route was intravenous; the main indication was severe pain; and major prescribers were from surgical departments. Discussion: Underutilization of potent opioids for acute and chronic pain seems to occur. Conclusion: Most prescribers prefer weak opioids, given intravenously to treat acute and chronic pain, while some patients may benefit from the prescription of more potent opioids. © 2012 Moyano and Figueras, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 237-242 |
Journal | Journal of Pain Research |
Volume | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Drug utilization
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Pain
- Pethidine
- Tramadol