Nurse administered fascia iliaca compartment block for pre-operative pain relief in adult fractured neck of femur

Abstract

Aim

To assess the efficacy of fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) administered by pain specialist nurses to relieve pain after fractured neck of femur in adults.

Method

Approval was obtained to train two pain nurses on how to perform FICB. Exclusion criteria were set out and adhered to. 30 ml of 0.25% plain bupivacaine was given to establish the block. Pain score using the visual analogue scales was documented pre-block and then at 15 min, 2 h, 8 h and 24 h after the block.

Results

Eleven male and 24 female patients aged 62–102 years had the block. The pain score at presentation for all the patients was 8–10. Fifty-four, 72.7, 77.4 and 80% of the patients had a pain score of 4 or less at 15 min, 2 h, 8 h and 24 h, respectively, after the block. The frequency for the additional analgesics varied between 0 and 2 times in 24 h post-block. There were no reported complications as a result of the procedure.

Conclusion

FICB provided pain relief after fractured neck of femur in more than 70% of patients and can be successfully performed by other trained health care providers without anaesthetic background.