Using Demerol in the ED

[mandasueRN]

I was wondering how many of you work in ED's that no longer use Demerol for pain mangement? If you do not use Demerol currently, what happened to take it out of your ED? The reason I am asking is I am currently working in an ED that uses a lot of Demerol for pain. I personally HATE giving the drug--pt's get sick (even when it is given with an anti-emetic), they become verrrry sleepy, etc. We have had more adverse reactions to Demerol in the past few weeks than I can count. I would like to approach our nurse manager and the physician's group about taking it out of our pyxis, but I want to have evidence to back up my request. I have tried searching the net for any scholarly-type articles about the subject, but can't find any. Anybody have any suggestions?

[needsmore$]

search "demerol metabolites" using google and you will get some good articles

[scoochy]

When I worked as a PACU nurse, Demerol was not the narcotic of choice, but rather the narcotic of last resort. The only therapeutic use of Demerol in the PACU is to control post op shivering.