Adequate Pain Control with Ofirmev to Minimize Narcotics Consumption and its Side Effects

Author

GIDEON NKRUMAHFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2019

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

DR. MARY ZERLAN

Keywords

Ofirmev, Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen, Opioid Consumption, postoperative pain management, Opioid side effects, perioperative pain

Abstract

Typically, perioperative pain has been managed with opioids, however, the extreme use of opioids has been associated with respiratory depression, excessive sedation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, ileus, severe constipation, prolonged hospital stay, addiction, and dependence. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Acute Pain Management recommends that patients should always receive non-opioid analgesics like Acetaminophen and NSAIDs as first-line agents so that opioids can be used as adjunctive agents to minimize opioid-related side effects, addiction, and dependence (The American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2011).

A protocol was developed to help providers use Ofirmev effectively and efficiently. The goals of this project are to provide a reference tool and education for providers at a southern Illinois hospital about the effective use of IV Tylenol. The ultimate goal is to incorporate its use clinically and therefore minimize the perioperative use of opioids/narcotics and its associated side effects.

The protocol and a PowerPoint presentation regarding the benefits, risk, cost, dosing, re-dosing intervals, and contraindication regarding the use of IV Tylenol was given to the providers. Pre and Post surveys served as evaluation tools.

Recommended Citation

NKRUMAH, GIDEON, "Adequate Pain Control with Ofirmev to Minimize Narcotics Consumption and its Side Effects" (2019). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 68.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/68

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