RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the opioid and benzodiazepine usage in a level IV NICU after implementation of pain guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Guidelines were developed for infants undergoing surgical procedures and infants on mechanical ventilation. Data collected for period 1 (July to December 2013) and period 2 (March to August 2014). RESULTS: Gestational age, birth weight and infants with hypoxic respiratory failure or requiring major procedures were comparable in two periods. Number of patients exposed to opioids decreased from 62.9% (129/205) in period 1 to 32.8% (82/250) in period 2, P=<0.001. Cumulative dose exposure decreased, opioids in morphine equivalent dose, mg kg-1 (1.64 (0.38 to 6.94) vs 0.51 (0.04 to 2.33), P=0.002), sedatives in midazolam equivalent, mg kg-1 (0.16 (0.03 to 7.39) vs 0.10 (0.00 to 4.00), P=0.03). Ten patients required treatment for iatrogenic opioid withdrawal versus only three in post guideline, P=0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based guidelines led to significant reduction in opioids and sedatives exposure, and in the number of infants requiring methadone for iatrogenic narcotic dependence.
