Meperidine: second-line agent with first-line prescribing practices.

Results from this survey need to be viewed within the context of the small number of responses (20%), which may not fully represent the knowledge base of all house officers. Recommendations established by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) define standards of care for acute and chronic pain management and address many of the problems seen nationally with meperidine and its metabolite, normeperidine. Data from this survey have assisted us in providing educational programs which are in line with these guidelines for house officers.