[Standardised postoperative analgesic system in orthopaedic surgery].

In order to treat patients with postoperative acute pain effectively, we have developed a standardised algorithm for analgesia. This process includes three levels and the appropriate supply of medication. The therapy level is defined based on the scale of the operation. Accordingly, the prescription and handling of the pain medication is simplified for the attending physician and nurses. The pain level has to be measured by the nursing staff sing a visual analogue scale (VAS). Thus, the efficiency of the analgesics will be continuously evaluated and controlled. The standardised supply medication can be applied in those cases with pain levels > or = 4 (VAS). It is possible to up- or down-grade the level within the system depending on the actual pain experienced by the patient. With this structured pain therapy algorithm we now have a guideline for the consistent postoperative analgesic treatment of patients.