A pilot project of single nurse administration of oral morphine on a trauma ward

SummaryPain and its treatment is an important aspect of orthopaedic nursing. Delays in the administration of analgesia can be due to a variety of factors. Possible factors are discussed briefly and the delays due to controlled drug regulations are examined in more detail. Controlled drug legislation is also discussed. A small change in the administration of oral morphine was piloted on a trauma ward and resulted in a significant reduction in delays in its administration and evaluated positively by researchers from a local university. The change is currently being extended to other surgical and medical wards in the Royal Bolton Hospital.