[The elaboration of analgesic protocols for the elderly. The experience of a multidisciplinary group]

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE PAIN: This has become a right for the patient, an ethical and deontological necessity for the physician, and a near-judicial obligation for care centres. The current regulations authorise nurses to apply analgesic treatments, within the framework of written protocols, signed and dated by the physician. A NEW METHOD: In order to determine the main acute pains of the elderly in institutions and to develop analgesic protocols permitting rapid and efficient relief, with priority given to non-medical treatments, a multidisciplinary group consisting of nurses and non-nursing care workers has been made up. Training tools have been created and distributed. CONCRETE RESULTS: After 14 months' work, the initial objective has been reached. Five analgesic protocols taking into account acute pain in the elderly have been drawn-up. All the care workers have been trained by their nursing colleagues. Following validation, the protocols have been applied for the past year in the department and are now being circulated to other care structures.