IMPROVING ANALGESIC PRESCRIBING IN A GENERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL

Patients suffering from cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease at a teaching hospital were found to have poorly controlled pa in. Many were prescribed inappropriate analgesia. A palliative care se rvice was established to provide symptom control for patients and educ ation for staff Educational materials were developed didactic teaching organized, and one-to-one education by case discussion provided to im prove patient management. A repeat survey to evaluate the service show ed an increase in the use of appropriate opioids, such as morphine and diamorphine, and a decease in the use of buprenorphine and papaveretu m, which are less suitable for use in chronic cancer pain. The accepta bility of the guidelines and rapid availability of a palliative care o pinion has improved analgesic prescribing.