Clinical case study

Opioid analgesics: Safe use for acute postoperative pain

Jenny is a 73-year-old woman scheduled for a total knee replacement. She has been taking an oral modified-release formulation of an opioid analgesic for the last 6 months. How will you ensure that her pain is effectively and safely managed after her surgery and on transition back into the community?

  • Start: 30 September 2022

  • Cost: free

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Patient_jenny_centred
 

Accreditation

It is recommended that 1 CPD hour be recorded for the purposes of self-directed CPD

 

About

Jenny is a 73-year-old woman scheduled for a total knee replacement. She has been taking an oral modified-release formulation of an opioid analgesic for the last 6 months. How will you ensure that her pain is effectively and safely managed after her surgery and on transition back into the community?

This case study has been developed to support best practice guidelines and the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard

 

Learning outcomes

Prescribers
  1. Assess both pain intensity and impact of acute postoperative pain on a patient’s function to guide appropriate choice of analgesia.
  2. Apply the biopsychosocial model of pain to develop a tailored pain management plan.
  3. Select multi-modal management strategies based on individual patient factors, to safely and effectively manage acute postoperative pain and minimise risk of harm from opioid analgesics.
  4. Identify and manage adverse effects of opioid analgesics to ensure safe use.
  5. Discuss pain management options and discharge planning with patients and their carers, and provide appropriate information to minimise risks and support recovery.

Pharmacists
  1. Describe how to assess both pain intensity and impact of acute postoperative pain on a patient’s function to guide appropriate choice of analgesia.
  2. Describe the biopsychosocial model of pain to develop a tailored pain management plan.
  3. Select multi-modal management strategies based on individual patient factors, to safely and effectively manage acute postoperative pain and minimise risk of harm from opioid analgesics.
  4. Identify and manage common adverse effects of opioid analgesics to ensure safe use.
  5. Discuss pain management options and discharge planning with patients and their carers, and provide appropriate information to minimise risks and support recovery.

Nurses and others
  1. Assess both pain intensity and impact of acute postoperative pain on a patient’s function to guide appropriate choice of analgesia.
  2. Apply the biopsychosocial model of pain to develop a tailored pain management plan.
  3. Select multi-modal management strategies based on individual patient factors, to safely and effectively manage acute postoperative pain and minimise risk of harm from opioid analgesics.
  4. Identify and manage adverse effects of opioid analgesics to ensure safe use.
  5. Discuss pain management options and discharge planning with patients and their carers, and provide appropriate information to minimise risks and support recovery.
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