ABSTRACT
The development of an acute pain service in a community hospital is described. A plan of operation is proposed, including accurate record maintenance to avoid complications. Results are presented on over 10,000 patients treated by the acute pain service.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia Department, Hospital/organization & administration , Hospitals, Community/organization & administration , Pain/drug therapy , Acute Disease , HumansABSTRACT
The effects of epidural analgesia on the duration of labor have been a controversal subject since its increased use in recent years. A total of 598 patients receiving this form of analgesia were studied as to progress in labor and eventual outcome. The mean cervical changes during epidural analgesia with a single drug, bupivacaine, 0.125%, with epinephrine, 1:200,000, have been calculated. The labor curves are characterized by constant acceleration in dilatation without deceleration at approximately the same rate for nulliparous and multiparous patients after dilatation of 5 cm. has been reached. Examination of maternal and fetal profiles failed to demonstrate any consistent variables that produce abnormal labor.
