Purpose:
To evaluate the impact of implementing a multimodal plan of care in treating the pain of the postoperative cesarean birth patient that limited opioid exposure.
Study Design and Methods:
A retrospective medical record review was conducted to evaluate a pain management protocol implemented for postoperative cesarean patients before and after a practice change. Sample included term postoperative cesarean patients ≥ 37 weeks of gestation, who had spinal or epidural, were 18 years or older, gave birth to a singleton newborn, admitted to the maternal child health department, and were prescribed opioids as a postoperative pain management treatment plan. Participants (N = 150) were evaluated based on two groups: n = 75 in the preimplementation group and n = 75 in the postimplementation group.
Results:
There was a significant difference in the total oral opioid milligrams administered between the pregroup (M = 27.13) and postgroup (M = 8.43), after the practice change (p <.001). There was an increase of nonopioids administered to treat and manage postoperative cesarean pain, Motrin PO (p = <.001) and Tylenol PO (p =.002).
Clinical Implications:
Fewer milligram equivalents of morphine were administered when postoperative cesarean patients were placed on scheduled nonopioids to treat pain.