[Optimising pain therapy for neurological inpatients]

The Department of Neurology at the Medical University Graz has implemented a multiprofessional pain management concept and evaluated the outcome by means of a patient survey.

Standard operating procedures for standardised pain measurement, documentation and therapy were developed. All engaged professional participants were trained before implementation.

88.7 % of the surveyed 63 patients reported pain during the hospitalisation. During the night and in the morning, the occurrence of severe pain was most likely. The position or activity most likely triggering severe pain was mobilisation (19 %). Patients with degenerative diseases of the spine without radiculopathy reported the highest levels of pain.

Pain is an important problem for neurological inpatients. Nocturnal pain, pain induced by mobilisation, and pain therapy for patients with degenerative diseases of the spine without radiculopathy require particular attention.