The use of analgesic drugs in postoperative patients: the neglected problem of pain control in intensive care units. An observational, prospective, multicenter study in 128 Italian intensive care units.

Objective: The use of analgesic drugs in patients admitted to Italian intensive care units (ICUs) was assessed.

Methods: An observational, prospective, cohort study was conducted, involving all adult patients admitted during a 1-month period in 128 Italian general ICUs. The use of analgesic drugs was evaluated for the first 2 postoperative days in surgical patients who stayed in ICU for at least 2 days.