Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Use of health information technology (IT) integrated with clinical services has the potential to empower self-management and decrease health care utilization for chronic disorders such as fibromyalgia (FM). However, the appropriate methodology that systematically facilitates the integration of health IT with clinical services between patients and nurses partnering to manage FM is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of technology-enhanced monitoring that engages FM patients using a mobile device. ⋯ Most participants (80%) reported that monitoring symptoms using the device was easy to do. Sixty-five percent felt that using the device helped them to promptly address their symptoms. Results from this study indicated that health IT integrated with clinical services is feasible to monitor FM symptoms and to communicate with the care team.
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Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic, and disabling condition that has physical, functional, and psychosocial repercussions. Although the estimated prevalence of neuropathic pain in the general population ranges from 1.5% to 8%, neuropathic pain is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aims of this study were to examine the experience of patients treated with spinal cord stimulation as a pain-relieving treatment and how this may influence the patient's ability to participate in everyday life activities. ⋯ Spinal cord stimulation also may have disadvantages that should be considered before offering this treatment. It seems evident that extended information needs about working mechanism of SCS and precautions as well as follow-up are required to meet unexpected challenges in adaptation. Here the nurse has an important role when informing and following this patient group.
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Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are an evolving regional anesthesia technique used as part of postoperative pain management regimens after major abdominal surgery. This article reviews TAP block insertion techniques, commonly used local anesthetics, and recommends nursing care related to TAP blocks.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of educating parents about distraction to decrease postoperative pain in children at home after tonsillectomy.
Today, parents are more involved with postoperative pain management, because children are discharged as early as possible after surgery. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of educating parents to provide distraction in addition to pharmacologic pain management in decreasing postoperative pain at home for children ages 3 to 7 years. Ninety-three children aged 3-7 years having tonsillectomy at Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland, and their parents were randomized to one of two intervention groups. ⋯ There was no difference in pain intensity between the groups using RM-ANCOVA. However, there was association between pain intensity in the morning on postoperative day 1 and follow-up pain intensity (p < .001). The results from this study support the importance of educating parents of children having tonsillectomy about distraction in addition to educating them about pain medication management.
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In the United States it is estimated that over 30% of the population suffers from some form of chronic pain (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies Report, 2011). Therefore, it is likely that 30% of patients who are admitted to the hospital for acute care needs also have an underlying chronic pain issue. ⋯ Although there is a significant body of research related to the management of acute pain (Bell & Duffy, 2009; Brennen, Obs, Carr, & Cousins, 2007; Dihle, Bjolseth, & Helseth, 2006; McDonnell, Nicholl, & Read, 2003; Wang & Tsai, 2010) and the management of chronic pain (Bruckenthal, 2010; Clarke & Iphofen, 2005; Kaasalainen et al., 2011; Matthews & Malcom, 2007; Papaleontiou et al., 2010, Reid et al., 2008), few studies were found that explained how nurses care for patients with pre-existing chronic pain in the acute care setting. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical understanding of nurses' assessment and decision-making behaviors related to the care of patients with chronic pain in the acute care setting.