Abstract

Optimizing perioperative pain management is important in decreasing adverse outcomes in surgical patients. The purpose of this project was to implement recommended perioperative pain practice guidelines by incorporating intravenous acetaminophen (IVA) as part of multimodal analgesia at an acute care hospital in Northern Arizona. Lewin's change theory guided this project by using strategies to break barriers in accepting and changing perioperative pain guidelines by completing a retrospective chart review to determine IVA efficacy. Data was obtained from adult surgical patients at this facility from January 1, 2014-July 31, 2014 which resulted in 74 charts that met criteria; 37 patients received IVA and 37 patients did not receive IVA. Chi-square analysis and a paired t-test compared mean pain scores, total opioid dosages in the first 24 hours, length of hospital stay (LOS) and patient demographics/clinical characteristics. Statistically significant differences were noted in pain scores at 12 and 24 hours, total opioid dosages and LOS (p< 0.05) in the IVA group. There were no statistically significant difference in demographic characteristics between the two groups nor in postoperative care unit (PACU) pain scores (p>0.05). These findings support current literature review that IVA is an effective non-analgesic for perioperative pain management.

Author Details

Sarah Ann Torabi, MSN, CRNA, email: sat273@nau.edu

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Lead Author Affiliation

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Perioperative Pain, Intravenous Acetaminophen, Practice Guidelines, Lewin's Change Theory

Advisor

Stetina, Pamela

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Northern Arizona University

Degree Year

2015

Rights Holder

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Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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