The guideline describes the critical decision points in the Management of Post-Operative Pain (POP) and provides clear and comprehensive evidence based recommendations incorporating current information and practices for practitioners throughout the DoD and VA Health Care systems. The guideline is intended to improve patient outcomes and local management of patients with post-operative pain.

The guideline is formatted as two algorithms, with annotations:

• Algorithm A - Pre-operative Management
• Algorithm B - Post-operative Management

POP Full Guideline (1,158 KB, PDF)

POP Summary (217 KB, PDF)

POP Pocket Card  (92 KB, PDF)

Variations in practice will inevitably and appropriately occur when providers take into account the needs of individual patients, available resources, and limitations unique to an institution or type of practice.  Every healthcare professional making use of these guidelines is responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of applying them in the setting of any clinical situation.