RESUMO
To objectively assess intranasal diamorphine as an analgesic adjuvant for change of dressings in burn patients. Eleven patients were recruited at a regional burns centre for this pilot study. Intranasal diamorphine at a weight-calculated dose was administered through an atomizer and patient vital signs and APVU scores were documented pre and post administration. A post-procedural satisfaction questionnaire was also completed by all patients. Eleven patients [8 males and 3 females] were recruited for this pilot project. Mean age was 34 years [19-57 years] and mean burn total body surface area [TBSA] was 8.9% [4-17%]. Procedure duration was a mean of 53.0 minutes [30-72 minutes]. Six of the patients had a past history of opiate use. The data of our small-scale study shows that it has good analgesic efficacy, rapid-onset, safety and high degree of patient satisfaction without the need for intravenous access. There were no side-effects and all patients expressed satisfaction with the analgesia given. Intranasal diamorphine provides effective analgesia for moderate to severe procedural pain and can be a safe analgesic adjuvant for change of dressings in burn patients