Monitoring pain control and charting

This article discusses the roles of the critical care team in providing pain relief. The attitudes of the staff concerning pain relief impact on the delivery of care. Assessment tools, computer systems, and flow sheets to assist in charting are described. Nurses have a role in use of epidural administration of narcotics, and provide relief with the use of patient-controlled analgesia and general pain relief measures. Pain as a nursing diagnosis, substance abuse in the medical profession, and control of narcotics are also issues discussed.