The acute pain team at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is now spending more quality time with patients and less on paperwork, thanks to a newly implemented digital system funded by charitable donations.
This purpose-built computer system enables the team to record patient assessments directly on laptops during ward rounds, eliminating the need for duplicate handwritten notes. As a result, nurses and consultants can devote more attention to patient care instead of administrative tasks.
The acute pain team consists of two consultant anaesthetists and five specialist nurses who manage a variety of pain conditions. They support patients dealing with post-operative pain, acute injuries like fractured ribs and pancreatitis, as well as more complex or chronic pain issues. Advanced treatments provided by the team include epidurals, nerve catheters, and opiate infusions, all of which require close monitoring due to potential risks.
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Wendy Cruickshank, lead nurse for the acute pain and vascular access teams, explained the impact of the upgrade: “Our previous database was outdated and required entering data twice. With the new system, we can input our assessments right at the bedside and print them directly into patient notes. This streamlines our workflow, enabling us to review patients more promptly.”
Beyond improving efficiency, the system also allows the team to analyze treatment trends and patient outcomes, helping to enhance service delivery and inform clinical research in acute pain management.
The £12,000 system was funded by a small grant from Musgrove Park Hospital’s League of Friends, following a proposal by Ms. Cruickshank and clinical lead Dr. Edward Keevil. Dr. Keevil highlighted the significance of the upgrade, stating, “The number of referrals to our acute pain service has doubled over the last decade. This digital innovation means our nurses have more time for direct patient care, which will profoundly benefit those we serve. We are sincerely grateful to the League of Friends for their generous support.”
Clinton Rogers, president of the League of Friends at Musgrove Park Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm: “The presentation on the new pain control system impressed us. It perfectly fits our mission to support projects that leverage the latest technology to improve patient care.”