Monitoring practices following epidural analgesics for pain management: a follow-up survey.

Indwelling epidural catheters are commonly used in pain management. There is much literature on the risks and benefits of this therapy, but there is no consensus on a standard, cost-effective method of monitoring these patients, nor on the types of analgesics or methods of drug delivery. The purpose of this paper is to examine clinical practices of pain management nurses belonging to the American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN). A total of 202 members responded to a follow-up survey on their institutions' use of epidural catheters. Although there were numerous variations in practice, certain similarities and themes regarding drug choice, patient monitoring, and health care providers involved with the care of this patient population are evident.