Transitioning burn patients from parenteral to oral opioid pain medication: are they receiving equianalgesic doses

The purpose of this study was to determine if burn patients at a regional burn center were transitioned from parenteral to oral opioid pain medications in equianalgesic doses according to guidelines for acute pain management published by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). A descriptive study was completed using a retrospective chart review. Subjects included 30 previously healthy burned adults. All opioid medications were recorded and converted to parenteral morphine equivalents. Statistically significant differences were observed between parenteral and oral opioids ordered and between parenteral and oral opioids administered. It is concluded that patients were not transitioned from parenteral to oral opioid medications in equianalgesic doses according to AHCPR guidelines. Retrospective chart reviews have inherent limitations important to this study. Future research should include prospective studies comparing the use of AHCPR acute pain management guidelines with other pain management strategies.