closely monitor fluid
levels during surgery
to limit risk of post-op
complications such as
ileus and fluid over-
load that can cause
issues with edema,
increase post-op pain
and delay discharges.
All of those elements
are important to the
success of the hospi-
tal's multimodal pain
management efforts,
but administering a
lidocaine infusion dur-
ing surgery has proven
to be the key to reduc-
ing patients' post-op pain.
Anesthesia providers begin the drip during surgery and continue it
for 1 hour post-op if patients' pain is not well controlled. IV lidocaine
has been shown to reduce the need for opioids, decrease overall pain
and increase patients' mobility after surgery.
Side effects associated with IV lidocaine are rare and it's affordable
(about $3 per bag). Patients who receive the analgesic report lower
pain scores and are able to ambulate safely sooner after surgery, says
Susan Cooper, BSN, RN, CPAN, CNML, nurse manager of Presbyterian
Hospital's OR and PACU.
"There's a lot of literature supporting the use of IV lidocaine, and
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 9
• UP TO SPEED Patients who are constantly informed about pain management
options don't expect to receive opioids after surgery.
Texas
Health
Presbyterian
Hospital