Survey of assessment criteria prior to implantation of spinal cord stimulators in United Kingdom pain management centres

European Journal of Pain - Tập 9 - Trang 57-60 - 2005
Rajeena Ackroyd1, Dudley J. Bush1, Jeanette Graves1, Joanne McVey1, Sarah Horton1
1Leeds Pain Management Service, St James Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK

Tóm tắt

AbstractSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a useful option in selected patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The aim of this questionnaire‐based survey was to determine what assessment methods are used for patients being considered for SCS in pain management centres in the United Kingdom. This was in relation to the recommendations produced by the Task Force of the European Federation of IASP chapters (1998) on neuromodulation. Questionnaires were sent out to previously identified individual SCS implanters. The response rate was 64% (n=44).The results of the survey were generally encouraging. Just over half of respondents use some form of guideline to assess patients for SCS, most trying opioid and co‐analgesia before proceeding to SCS insertion. There was significant variation concerning absolute contraindications.The majority of respondents worked in a multi‐disciplinary team and 61% stated their patients received a psychological assessment but although 96% of individuals worked with a specialist nurse only 25% reported that the nurse had an active role in the pre‐assessment of patients for SCS. The development of national guidelines may provide a more standardised approach but further research into the role of the specialist nurse and the benefits of psychological assessment would also be useful.

Tài liệu tham khảo

10.1300/J088v02n03_02 Cleeland C.S., 1994, Pain Assessment: global use of the Brief Pain Inventory, Ann. Acad. Med. Singapore, 23, 129 10.1136/qhc.0100064 Fordham V., 1994, Alongside the patient in pain 10.1016/S1090-3801(98)90016-7 10.1097/00006123-200207000-00016 10.1097/00006123-199608000-00013 10.1213/00000539-196707000-00025
Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

European Journal of Pain

Tập 9

57-60

Thông tin tác giả