Hospitalized patients’ pain experience before and after the introduction of a nurse-based pain management programme: a separate sample pre and post study

Abstract

Background Many patients suffer from unrelieved pain in hospital settings. Nurses have a pivotal role in pain management. Hence, a nurse-based pain management programme may influence how hospitalized patients experience pain. In this study we investigated hospitalized patients’ experience of pain before and after the introduction of a two-component nurse-based pain management programme. Methods A quasi-experimental design with a separate sample pretest-posttest approach was conducted on a convenience sample of 845 patients (Survey 1: N = 282; Survey 2: N = 283; Survey 3: N = 280) admitted to the four inpatient units (medical, surgical, maternity, and gynecology) of a university medical center. Data were collected at baseline, before the intervention six weeks after pain management education, and finally immediately after four months of rounding using an interviewer-administered questionnaire adopted from a Brief Pain Inventory and the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire. Results All the samples had similar sociocultural backgrounds. The proportion of patients who reported average moderate and severe pain intensity in the last 24 h were 68.8% in Survey 1, 72.8% in Survey 2 and then dropped to 48.53% in Survey 3 whereas those who reported moderate and severe pain intensity at the time of interview were 53.9% in Survey 1, 57.1% in Survey 2 and then dropped to 37.1% in Survey 3. The mean pain interference with the physical and emotional function was generally reduced across the surveys after the introduction of the nurse-based pain management programme. These reductions were statistically significant with p < 0.05. Conclusions Though the survey findings must be taken with caution, they demonstrate that the nurse-based pain management programme positively influenced patient-reported pain intensity and functional interference at the university medical center. This shows the potential clinical importance of the programme for hospitalized patients.

Pain assessment and interventions by nurses in the emergency department: A national survey

“…Pain management education is important to optimise patient comfort, prevent under‐treatment of pain and reduce harmful effects of unrelieved pain. While ongoing education is effective in imparting knowledge and developing skills in pain management, there is little evidence of improved clinical performance and patient outcomes (Bloom, 2005; Germossa, Hellesø, & Sjetne, 2019; Sinclair, Kable, Levett‐Jones, & Booth, 2016). One recent study demonstrated marked reductions in the number of hospitalised patients ( n = 845) reporting moderate and severe pain (72.8% to 48.5), and interference in physical and emotional functions after introducing a nurse‐based pain management program comprising face‐to‐face education (30–40 min) and daily clinical rounding using scripted pain assessment dialogue (Germossa et al, 2019).…”

“…While ongoing education is effective in imparting knowledge and developing skills in pain management, there is little evidence of improved clinical performance and patient outcomes (Bloom, 2005; Germossa, Hellesø, & Sjetne, 2019; Sinclair, Kable, Levett‐Jones, & Booth, 2016). One recent study demonstrated marked reductions in the number of hospitalised patients ( n = 845) reporting moderate and severe pain (72.8% to 48.5), and interference in physical and emotional functions after introducing a nurse‐based pain management program comprising face‐to‐face education (30–40 min) and daily clinical rounding using scripted pain assessment dialogue (Germossa et al, 2019). While nurse‐initiated analgesia is safe and effective (Cabilan & Boyde, 2017; Varndell et al, 2018), further research is required to examine education and knowledge translation modalities and their impact on patient‐orientated and clinical outcomes within the ED setting.…”

Comparing Patient Experiences Before and After Re-Organizing Inpatient Pain Care: A Before and After Study

“…Evidence has also pointed out the importance of improving nurses' knowledge and attitude (20,21) and work process re-organization to produce a better outcome (22). However, to our knowledge, no investigation has been conducted to assess the impact of a nurse-based in-hospital pain care program on patients' experiences with pain care.…”

Valoración de la adherencia en la actividad relativa a la administración analgésica del plan de cuidados de entermería de la cesárea

“…Para poder aplicar una estrategia terapéutica adecuada en el DAP tras cesárea, es fundamental llevar a cabo una exhaustiva evaluación del dolor, actividad que recae de forma central en los profesionales de la Enfermería (5,10,12,41,44,45,52,53,62,73,82,123,161,197,198). No puede entenderse su labor en el aporte de cuidados postoperatorios tras la cesárea sin una óptima valoración del dolor percibido por las pacientes y las repercusiones que este conlleva en el contexto de un abordaje de la salud biopsicosocial, como proponen los modelos de Enfermería vigentes y que rigen los principios de la disciplina como profesión (11,19,41,54,63,124,199).…”

“…La prevalencia del DAP tras cesárea en nuestra muestra de estudio se mantiene en la línea de la aportada por la literatura científica, por ello, su manejo y control suponen un importante reto para todos los profesionales sanitarios implicados, con especial atención a los profesionales de la Enfermería, quienes tienen un papel central a través del desempeño de sus funciones a lo largo de todo el periodo postoperatorio, y para quienes constituye una prioridad (5,10,62,72,73,199).…”