What are the risks and knowledge deficits for prescribing and administering opioids in the ward environment? A quality project on assessing and improving knowledge

Investigations into Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls and related clinical incident reviews at a large district teaching hospital provided evidence that over sedation can be a significant issue post opioid administration and that safe and effective pain management requires accurate opioid knowledge and patient assessment skills.The aim of the study was to develop education that was directed at identified knowledge deficits, and to evaluate the impact of this tailored education program on knowledge of safe prescribing and administration of opioids.Knowledge levels were explored using a structured questionnaire in a pre and post-test design. A convenience sample of 34 nurses and 5 junior medical officers across three surgical wards in a tertiary referral hospital had their knowledge assessed.Results showed significant improvement when repeat questionnaires were given two weeks post-delivery of education. Mean scores were 68% at baseline and 89% two weeks post completion of the education program. The greatest improvement in scores was recorded for drug knowledge including dose, half-life and administration.The findings from this study suggest that the opioid education program is effective in improving the knowledge of safe prescribing and administration of opioids, however further studies are required.     

972例阿片类药物不良反应/事件的回顾性研究

摘 要 目的：研究阿片类药物所致不良反应/事件（ADR/ADE）发生的特点,为临床安全用药提供参考。方法：采用回顾性研究方法,对2007年1月～2018年6月湖北省药品（医疗器械）不良反应监测中心收集的972例阿片类药物所致ADR/ADE,从患者性别、年龄、ADR/ADE发生时间、给药途径、临床表现及转归等方面进行统计分析。结果：972例ADR/ADE报告的患者男女比例为1 ∶1.20;51～70岁患者构成比较高;ADR/ADE主要发生在用药后24 h以内（66.46%）;主要临床表现为胃肠系统损害（38.96%）、中枢及外周神经系统损害（21.87%）、皮肤及其附件损害（10.46%）、全身性损害（9.23%）、呼吸系统损害（4.51%）,其中严重ADR/ADE构成比为10.49%。阿片类药物所致ADR/ADE的给药途径以静脉注射（34.57%）和口服给药（32.51%）为主。结论：阿片类药物可引起严重ADR/ADE,临床用药时需加强监测,提高用药安全性。