I work as a prn nurse in the pacu of an ambulatory surgical facility.
Some of our patients can stay up to 23hrs. for procedures such as cholecystectomies. Most of the nurses who have worked there for years insist that these patients recieve an IM injection of Demerol or Morphine with Phenergan before moving to their overnight room. They insist these patients do better and the pain relief lasts longer than IV. I haven't been convinced and drug manuals don't back this up. I don't like using Demerol (increased neurotoxic metabolites) unless necessary and the pain and trauma of an IM injection seems unecessary. I feel this is a case of nurses not wanting to change old habits.
Any experience or suggestions out there? Thank you!!!
