Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Continuous peripheral nerve blocks offer effective post-op pain relief in the comfort of a patient's home. 12 They are an effective solution for patients expected to have postop pain lasting more than 24 hours up to 72-96 hours. 13 They can provide pain control, reduce opioid consumption and its related side effects, and increase patient satisfaction. Table 1 highlights the various patient-oriented outcomes. The InfuBLOCK ® Program provides patient satisfaction and peace of mind The InfuBLOCK ® pain management program provides a convenient, economical pathway for implementing cPNBs. Patients go home with an electronic pump, supplies, and discharge instructions. The reusable electronic pumps employed in the InfuBLOCK ® program help providers maintain excellent outcomes while significantly decreasing the cost of therapy. The InfuBLOCK ® program in its entirety typically costs 30-50% less than using disposable elastomeric devices. There are no inventory hassles—InfuSystem ® manages the inventory of pumps and accessories placed with patients. Table 1. Patient-Oriented Outcomes Associated with cPNB Outcomes Comments Improvement in postoperative pain control and reduction in opioid consumption and related side effects 14-22 • Decreased pain at rest and on movement better than opioids alone. • Better analgesia compared with single-shot nerve blocks. • Fewer opioids are needed to control pain—opioid consumption is decreased by 40–70% when continuous nerve blocks are used when compared with PCA alone. • Less nausea/vomiting. Lower incidence of persistent postsurgical pain • Reduced chronic pain at 3 and 6 months following total knee arthroplasty. 23 • Improvements in analgesia up to a full year following mastectomy, including superior physical and mental health-related quality of life and decreased pain-related physical and emotional dysfunction. 24-25 Earlier participation in physical therapy • Over 96% of patients are able to participate in physical therapy on postoperative day one versus 57% on opioids alone. 27 • Less pain during physical therapy and better range of motion. 29 Reduction in hospital length of stay • Associated with PACU bypass and reliable same-day discharge. 26 • Decreased length of stay, typically by one day (better reimbursement, decreased risk of hospital-acquired infections). 16, 27-29 • Reduced time until discharge readiness. 29-32 Better patient satisfaction • Greater satisfaction when patients receive cPNB. 14, 16,29 Less sleep disturbances • Less insomnia and number of awakenings at night. 33 "The InfuBLOCK ® system revolutionizes the relationship between the clinical provider and industry. I attribute this system as the main factor for us as an anesthesia service provider company to be able to bring the most advanced perioperative pain management strategies present at larger tertiary medical centers to the community hospitals throughout our Medstream system." Lindsey A. Nelson, MD, Chief Quality Officer Medstream Anesthesia Solutions "InfuBLOCK ® is a service company and NOT a nerve pump company. InfuBLOCK ® provides high quality service to the patient by following-up with them after they leave your care. InfuBLOCK ® provides high quality service to the physician by following-up with the patient, thereby off-loading physician workload. InfuBlock's service to my health care system is invaluable" David Ruttum, MDAcute Pain Director Anesthesia Partners of Colorado, Vail, CO The InfuBLOCK ® program offers postsurgical patients an alternative to relying solely on powerful and potentially addictive pain medications. And patients love it!

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