Preparation of standard protocol for cancer pain control and evaluation of its clinical effectiveness

In order to promote the appropriate control of cancer pain by opioids, we distributed a pocket-sized protocol pamphlet on cancer pain control and opioid prescription to the medical staff of Nagoya University Hospital. In this study, we examined whether the prescription rate of opioids for rescue use, antiemetics for preventing adverse effects, and the rate of increase of regular opioid dosage were increased after distribution to evaluate its utility. Rescue opioid prescriptions, increase of regular opioid dosage and antiemetic prescription rate after distribution were all significantly increased, compared with before distribution. Furthermore, the frequency of nausea and vomiting was reduced by the use of prophylactic antiemetics. These results suggest that distribution of this protocol for cancer pain control may contribute to appropriate pain management.