Management of patients undergoing vascular surgery who are receiving epidural analgesia

Epidural analgesia affords new opportunities for pain management in the acute and chronic arenas for patients undergoing vascular surgery. Effective and safe management of the patient receiving epidural analgesia requires careful integration of the skills and knowledge of the health care providers. Vascular surgeons in this institution use epidural analgesia almost exclusively in postoperative management of the patient undergoing vascular surgery, resulting in consistent pain relief with reduced narcotic requirements and earlier mobilization. Recognized complications are associated with epidural analgesia. Thus development of standardized nursing care plans to ensure safe and appropriate care of patients is imperative. Monitoring specific quality indicators ensures safe delivery of epidural analgesia and evaluates the effectiveness of the pain management program.