The rotation with the Acute Pain Service and University of Colorado Hospital exposes residents to a variety of analgesic procedures, multimodal medications and floor management of the perioperative patient. There will be a heavy exposure to Thoracic epidural and ultrasound guided nerve blocks. Interdisciplinary communication, medication management, opioid sparing, and catheter management will be emphasized. The rotation will also impart pharmaceutical and procedural safety, contraindications and complications. Residents will gain considerable confidence in regional procedures such as:
- Thoracic Epidural, Intrathecal opioid
- Upper Extremity/Brachial Plexus
- Interscalene
- Supraclavicular
- Infraclavicular
- Femoral – Inguinal Crease, Adductor Canal
- Sciatic – Infragluteal, Popliteal
- PECs, TAP/QLs and Paravertebral
The residents are supervised and instructed by faculty members with expertise in regional anesthesia. There will also be significant exposure to the knowledge of Regional/Acute Pain Fellows, NPs and PAs.
In the typical rotation, there will be 2-3 residents. One resident covers the Pain Rounding Service with a dedicated attending; the remaining residents cover the Regional Service with the APS attending. This will alternate to create equal exposure. In addition, several didactic lectures, a chance to experience the cadaver lab and attend the monthly journal club will be part of the Acute Pain Service rotation.