[Influence of acute pain management service on analgesic drugs cost and consumption in the post-anesthetic recovery unit.].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES It is known that acute postoperative pain has a major influence on surgical patients recovery. Early movements, shorter hospital stay, lower costs and higher satisfaction are results of adequate pain management. There is a world trend toward specialized postoperative pain management services. This study aimed at describing the influence of an acute postoperative pain treatment service on analgesics cost and consumption in the post-anesthetic recovery unit. METHODS Data were prospectively collected in the period 2000/2001, through computerized expert systems of the Controller Department of our institution, on analgesic drugs consumption and cost in the recovery unit and the number of surgical procedures performed during that time. RESULTS There has been increased analgesics consumption and costs, as well as a change in their utilization profile. CONCLUSIONS The creation of an Acute Pain Management Service (APMS) in our institution has determined a change in analgesics profile. There has been increased consumption and cost of such drugs, suggesting that patients had a better postoperative pain control.