The acute pain service was started in 1992 to improve postoperative pain management in the hospital. A team of anaesthesiologists with interest in pain management is responsible for introducing new techniques safely and provide a 24-hour coverage for patients needing acute pain service.
A pilot project was started in the colorectal high dependency unit with the use of epidural opioids and patient controlled analgesia. Protocols for the management and monitoring of these patients were drawn up.
With the acute pain service, nurses in SGH were able to measure pain and monitor patients on pain medication safely.
The anaesthetic department provided 24-hour coverage for patients managed in the acute pain service.