J Infus Nurs. 2018 Sep/Oct;41(5):284-292

Ketamine infusions for outpatients pain management: a policy development project.

Allen C, Conner R, Ivester JR Jr.

Current literature supports using ketamine for both acute and chronic pain management. It is imperative that the development of evidence-based protocols and policies keep pace with health care delivery to ensure patient safety. This project's objective was to formulate an outpatient ketamine infusion policy that promotes consistent and evidence-based care within a specified hospital system. This policy addresses potential side effects and minimization of adverse events by addressing patient selection, level of nursing care required, appropriate monitoring, and staff education.