Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
14:56

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)

Published on: January 27, 2010

Evaluation of a continuous epidural analgesia program for postoperative pain in children

Jacqueline A Ellis1, Brenda Martelli, Christine LaMontagne

  • 1Department of Nursing, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada. jellis@uottawa.ca

Pain Management Nursing : Official Journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
|November 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) program was successfully implemented for pediatric surgical patients outside the ICU. This approach ensures safe pain management with proper education and monitoring, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Pain Management
  • Healthcare Program Development

Background:

  • Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) is typically managed in critical care settings.
  • Pediatric patients outside intensive care require effective pain management strategies.
  • Developing safe and effective non-ICU CEA programs is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the development and implementation of a CEA program for pediatric surgical patients outside the critical care environment.
  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this non-ICU CEA program.
  • To identify benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from the program's initial two years.

Main Methods:

  • A collaborative development process involving nursing, anesthesiology, and pharmacy departments.
  • Implementation of the CEA program on a surgical patient service unit.
  • Retrospective record review of patients receiving CEA over the first two years.

Main Results:

  • The CEA program was successfully implemented for pediatric surgical patients in inpatient areas.
  • The program demonstrated safety and efficacy in managing patient outcomes.
  • Sufficient education and support were crucial for safe administration and monitoring.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous epidural analgesia can be safely and effectively administered to pediatric surgical patients outside of critical care settings.
  • A multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive support system are key to successful non-ICU CEA programs.
  • The program provides valuable insights into managing pediatric pain effectively in general inpatient units.

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...