A survey of acute pain services in teaching hospitals in the Republic of Ireland.

BACKGROUND

Acute Pain Services (APS) evolved in response to the desire for improved management of postoperative pain.

AIMS

To assess the status of APS in teaching hospitals in Ireland. This information has not previously been available.

METHODS

Postal questionnaires were sent to all teaching hospitals in the Republic of Ireland (n = 40). The questionnaire dealt with current and future APS.

RESULTS

Thirty-one out of the 40 teaching hospitals returned a completed questionnaire (78% response). Seventy-one per cent of respondents had formalised APS of which 85% were established after 1990. Ninety percent of respondents selected postoperative pain as their primary target. Pain was included in quality assurance in 73% of hospitals and 87% of clinicians believed the trend in pain consultations is increasing.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a growing trend in pain management and publication of guidelines, only 71% (22/31) of teaching hospitals in the Republic of Ireland have such services. Further resources are needed to address this deficiency.