Abstract

Abstract Aim To improve analgesia prescribing for patients admitted with suspected renal colic in line with NICE guidelines (NG118) in an acute district general hospital using a proforma. Method In the first cycle, a retrospective review of 16 patients who presented with renal colic to the emergency department or surgical assessment unit was performed and the analgesia prescribing was recorded. A unique analgesia prescribing proforma was then developed using NICE guidelines (NG118) including the use of NSAIDS as first-line when there are no contra-indications, intravenous paracetamol, opioid analgesics and omitting antispasmodics. Following implementation of the proforma, a prospective review of 18 patients were included in the second cycle and the prescribing compliance were compared. Results Study included 34 patients who presented with suspected renal colic over a 3-month period. In the first cycle, 19% of patients had appropriate analgesia prescribed which were compliant with NICE guidelines. In cycle 2, 89% of patients had appropriate analgesia prescribed. In particular, the inappropriate prescription of antispasmodics has improved significantly (38 % in cycle 1 vs 0 % in cycle 2). Conclusions A proforma can serve as a useful ‘checklist’ for analgesia prescribing and improve the symptomatic relief for patients presenting with suspected renal colic in line with NICE quality standards.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call