Orthopaedic nursing
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Orthopaedic nursing · Sep 2014
Pain management after total knee arthroplasty: a case–control study of continuous nerve block therapy.
Continuous femoral nerve block infusions (CFNBIs) have been found to both decrease patient postoperative pain and improve postoperative joint mobilization, both of which impact patient satisfaction, outcome, and length of stay. When we began the use of CFNBIs, we needed to create a policy, process, standing order form, and staff education plan as well as a means to maximize therapy efficacy and believed that a research study would best meet those needs. ⋯ This study has added to previous research that supports CFNBI as a proven therapy to decrease postoperative pain in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The structure of a research project facilitates the implementation, evaluation, and improvement of such new therapies. Evaluating patient data allows identification of process improvement areas—in our case, the change in drug concentration—as well as the need for staff education aimed at facilitating their active participation in CFNBI therapy.