Regional anesthesia in the community practice setting

Abstract

The appropriate management of pain has many benefits. Evidence for improved patient outcomes, in particular, has given physicians a popular and professional mandate to better manage pain [1]. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) now requires the recording of pain as a “5th vital sign.” Unfortunately, there is well-publicized evidence that pain continues to be inadequately managed [2, 3].