Management of Risks

PICOT
For the postoperative staff caring for patients at risk of opioid dependence and prolonged hospital stays (P), how does effective multimodal pain management approach that incorporates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods (I) compared to the current practices (C) affect time to achieving improved pain control, opioid consumption, opioid-related side effects, and hospital stays (O) throughout 12 weeks ?

Gap identified in week 2 discussion
The gap in Practice identified is the Inadequate utilization of multimodal pain management approaches for postoperative patients. The abovementioned gap in practice was identified because numerous studies indicate that a multimodal approach to pain management, which incorporates a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, can result in better pain control, decreased opioid consumption, and reduced opioid-related side effects. Relying heavily on opioids alone can increase the risk of side effects of opioid dependence and can prolong hospital stays.
Patients who receive a more holistic approach to pain management involving education, physical therapies, and alternative treatments report higher satisfaction levels and feel more empowered to manage their pain. Over-reliance on opioids may increase costs due to prolonged hospital stays and management of opioid-related side effects. In contrast, a multimodal approach can decrease hospital readmissions and lead to faster postoperative recovery.