Transforming Care to Evidence‐Based Practice With Scripted Messages: An Improvement Project for Pain Management in Outpatient Surgical Patients

Abstract

A scripted message showed statistical significance and a small clinical effect in pain control that adds to the body of knowledge around the effectiveness of scripting delivered by nurses. Although it is encouraging that even the small dose of scripting had a significant effect on postoperative pain control, the feasibility issues around similar study designs will require considerable resources to surmount. Practice change is a complex process requiring sensitivity to work and patient flow especially in specialty care units. Resistance to change when evidence is not robust may be especially difficult related to scripting, often perceived as a mandated intrusion into the nurse-patient relationship.

The parental journey of fetal care: a systematic review and metasynthesis

“…1,34 Examination of possible institutional barriers to quality patient communication is warranted (eg, time and space allotted for consults, communication training and support). Specific interventions such as scripting 35,36 and decision aids 32,37 should be further explored. We provide examples of scripting for challenging communication, including ways to answer the question "what would you do?"…”

Therapeutic effects of different doses of peroperative intravenous dexmedetomidine for postoperative incision pain in rats

“…Postoperative pain can lead to anxiety, unease, alterations of the endocrine system, and delayed postsurgical recovery of internal organs. In severe cases, these can increase the risk of serious complications, including myocardial ischemia, accelerated heart rate, pulmonary dysfunction, deep vein thrombosis, and decreased immune function, all of which negatively impact patient prognosis (4,5). In addition, postoperative pain, if not fully controlled upon onset, may develop into chronic pain and affect the function of multiple organ systems (6).…”

Improving hand surgery pain management results using a key phrase and patient feedback: A quality improvement project in a United States ambulatory surgery site

“…Research suggests that satisfaction with care may be influenced by managing patient expectations and decreasing anxiety through clear communication of the care plan and the use of words that convey a sense of care by the provider 9 . Perioperative nurses who educate patients and communicate consistently through patient interviews before surgery can play a crucial role in successful patient outcomes and overall patient satisfaction with pain management 10,13 .…”