Implementation and evaluation of postoperative pain management protocols in older adults.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Implementation and evaluation of postoperative pain management protocols in older adults.
Authors: Tabesse A; Department of Pharmacy, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France. Electronic address: tabesse-a@chu-caen.fr., Nicolle C; Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Fiant AL; Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Guillaume C; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM U1075, COMETE, Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Pape K; Department of Pain and Palliative Care, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Lafont C; Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Bourderont A; Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Villain C; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM U1075, COMETE, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Baudon-Lecame M; Department of Pharmacy, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Hamon M; Department of Pharmacy, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France., Meurant A; Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France.
Source: Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.) [Geriatr Nurs] 2026 Jun; Vol. 70, pp. 104063. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 18.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Mosby-Yearbook Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8309633 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1528-3984 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01974572 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Geriatr Nurs Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: St Louis Mo : Mosby-Yearbook
Original Publication: [New York : American Journal of Nursing Co.
MeSH Terms: Postoperative Pain*/drug therapy , Pain Management*/methods , Clinical Protocols*, Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use ; Analgesics/therapeutic use ; Tramadol/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Female ; Male ; Aged, 80 and over
Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate if the two new post-operative pain management protocols for older patients were well prescribed, administered, and monitored.
Methods: A retrospective clinical audit of 100 older patients who were prescribed these protocols was conducted.
Results: Only 17% of patients met all prescriptions criteria (age> 75 gt; 75 years, opioid naïve patient, recent surgery, no co-prescribing of inappropriate analgesics for older patients, no duplicate prescription and tramadol dosage following recommandations). Prescriptions issues were mostly inappropriate analgesic prescriptions (29%), duplicate medications (28%), and tramadol under-dosing (88%). None of the patients received 100% of the prescribed antalgics doses, administrations compliance was below 50%, only 8% for morphine. Pain was assessed rigorously (99%), monitoring for opioid-related side effects, like respiratory (6%) and vigilance (12%), was incomplete.
Conclusions: This highlights challenges in implementing new postoperative analgesia protocols in a healthcare facility.
(Copyright © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Enhanced recovery after surgery; Geriatrics; Pain management
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Analgesics, Opioid)
0 (Analgesics)
39J1LGJ30J (Tramadol)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260419 Date Completed: 20260612 Latest Revision: 20260612
Update Code: 20260613
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104063
PMID: 42001715
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1528-3984
DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104063