Adverse events in medical treatment related to pain during 2018: a report from the Committee on Safety of the Japan Society of Pain Clinicians

Abstract

The Committee on Safety of the Japan Society of Pain Clinicians (JSPC) investigated the adverse events (AEs) in pain management in 2018 to all Japanese board-certified training facilities. Method: Web questionnaires were requested from the facilities. The contents of AEs were 3 or more serious events complying with the rule of impact classification of the National University Hospital Council of Japan. Results: Most reported AEs were side effects of analgesics or analgesic adjuvants or complications of invasive treatments, such as nerve blocks or surgeries. Analgesic-related AEs were reported in 25 cases, and some of these were serious. Side effects of antidepressants and opioids were most frequently reported. Invasive treatment-related AEs were reported in 145 cases, 57 of which were serious. Serious AEs related to surgical treatments were reported more in comparison with average years. Conclusion: It is necessary to share the information of these AEs with the members of the JSPC and enhance the consideration of risk management in pain-treatment settings.