Effect of pain management algorithm on pain intensity in patients with loss of consciousness

Pain management program can be helpful in patients with loss of consciousness due to decrease in analgesic drugs, prolonged hospital stay; and also decrease in cost of admission, medicine and medical treatment. The current study was done aimed to determine the effect of pain management algorithm on level of consciousness in patients with loss of consciousness .

In this randomized clinical trial study, 90 patients with loss of consciousness under mechanical ventilation were selected through convenience method and were randomly allocated into two groups of 45 people as the intervention and control groups. Pain management algorithm was implemented in intervention group for 24 hours in morning shift between 8-10, evening shift between 15-17 and in the night shift between 22-24. Data collection tools were the demographic information form and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Behavior Pain Scale (BPS).

. In terms of level of consciousness, there was no significant difference between the two groups after the intervention, but the mean of volume of sedation drugs was significant different between the two groups in morning and night shift (p<0.05)

The use of the pain management algorithm can significantly impact on volume of sedation but has no effect on level of consciousness.