Teaching oncology nurses about epidural catheters

Medication administered through epidural catheters for control of acute and chronic pain is becoming a common practice in some hospitals. The care of epidural catheters usually is not included in basic nursing education curriculum. In settings where RNs will administer medication by this route or monitor patients receiving epidural medication, adequate preparation of the RN staff is vital to ensure that the catheter remains intact, that therapy is administered without complications, and that the patient has optimal pain relief. Instruction should include information on the catheter's purpose, administration techniques, pharmacology of the drug, side effects, and monitoring techniques. For program planning, a multidisciplinary group set criteria on which the policy and procedure for administration of epidural analgesia were based. The educational program focused on administering morphine sulfate through an epidural catheter and on safe discontinuation of the catheter.