Postoperative Clinical Monitoring After Morphine Administration: A Retrospective Multicenter Practice Survey

The objective of this survey was to describe the clinical monitoring practically used after intravenous, subcutaneous or neuraxial (epidural or intrathecal) administration of morphine.

It was a descriptive, retrospective, multicenter (10 hospitals) survey based on the medical charts' analysis, which evaluated the postoperative clinical monitoring after morphine administration.

Morphine was delivered intravenously (69%), intrathecally (19%), epidurally (10%) and/or subcutaneously (12%). Clinical monitoring protocols and protocols for the management of side effects were both present in 60% (n=6/10), only one of the two types of protocols in 10% (n=1/10) and both absent in 30% (n=3/10). Protocols for the management of respiratory depression and consciousness evaluation were present in 70% of cases (n=7/10). These events were reported on medical records without any prescription or protocol in 35% (n=14/40) and 37,5% (n=15/40) respectively. Prescriptions for respiratory rate evaluation and clinical monitoring of consciousness were in agreement with only 20% of the medical data and medical records. Different levels of respiratory rate were observed: 43% (n=3/7) below 8/min, 43% (n=3/7) below 10/min and 14% (n=1/7) below 12/min. Clinical monitoring was not performed in 31% (n=31/100) for consciousness and in 35% (n=35/100) for respiratory rate. Pulse oximeter was used in 48% (n=48/100) of patients. Capnography was never used. Respiratory depression occurred in 1% (n=1/100) of cases.

This survey emphasizes an important disparity in the prescription of medical monitoring and a lack of use of protocols when morphine is administered. It demonstrates the need for a standardization of protocols according to the existing guidelines.