Impressions of acute pain services in a tertiary care center in India – Enhancing perioperative outcomes beyond pain

Abstract

Background and Objective: Acute pain services (APSs) in schema to its name primarily aim to manage acute postoperative pain. A meticulous and comprehensive APS leads to the prevention of acute pain developing into persistent chronic postsurgical pain. Good post operative pain relief helps in reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications. While a meaningful communication with the patient, assessment of general well being, facilitates eary discharge and functional recovery, thereby significantly contributing to the overall quality of recovery of the patient in the perioperative period. Methodology: An Anesthesia Consultant led APS team in our institute is responsible for daily clinical rounds. Effective communication with the patients facilitated early detection of detection of additional complaints such as restlessness, throat pain, nausea, vomiting, shoulder tip pain, increased drain output, urine retention, wound soakage and constipation to name a few. We could look beyond acute pain management. Results: One-year data from March 2023 to March 2024 were audited and subsequently findings were noted. Conclusion: APSs are an integral part of anesthesia management, primarily aiming at the management of perioperative pain in the best possible way. However, our study revealed other important aspects of this service, which could aid us in improving our perioperative outcomes.

Keywords

• acute
• acute pain services
• chronic postsurgical pain
• pain clinics
• postoperative pain