[Pain management for cancer patients with critical pathway on computer]

For relief from cancer pain, we developed critical pathway (CP) as an effective strategy for the medical staff treating cancer patients. This CP was made out of Microsoft Excel, and was used on personal computers. "Good sleeping" was set as the first goal and the second was "No pain in rest position." To achieve this, physicians and nurses evaluate medical efficacy and complications including nausea/vomiting, constipation, somnolence and hallucination everyday using controlled release oxycodone in addition to NSAIDs and prochlorperazine, stool softener and peristaltic stimulant for adverse effects. These outcomes lead to the medication change the next day by calculation using visual basic function due to opioid titration theory. In twelve patients this CP was acceptable, and all of them achieved the second goal within a week without severe adverse effects except constipation.