Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Despite available guidelines and efforts to improve pain management, pain remains prevalent in hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore whether pain management practices in a university hospital were in line with guidelines on acute, geriatric, and cancer pain. This was a descriptive, correlational, and point-prevalence study conducted at a university hospital with 282 adults, who were hospitalized for 24 hours and were alert and able to participate. ⋯ Although the majority of patients had an analgesic prescription, many did not receive adequate treatment. The use of pain severity scales was associated with the provision of more adequate pain treatment. To provide quality pain management, pain assessment needs to be improved and available treatments used to meet patient needs.
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Observational Study
Validity and reliability of a pain location tool for pediatric abdominal surgery.
For children with surgical problems, pain location conveys important clinical information. We developed a Location and Level of Intensity of Postoperative Pain (Lolipops) tool consisting of a body outline with a seven-sector abdominal grid, the International Association for the Study of Pain Revised Faces Pain Scale, and a recording chart. The aim of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of Lolipops. ⋯ In children with perforated appendicitis, Lolipops demonstrated a more widespread pain pattern. Correlations between nurse and investigator were fair to moderate with an overall intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.597. This study presents a new tool to measure the location of pain in pediatric surgical patients and shows it to be valid and reliable.
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Newborns are often subjected to invasive and painful medical procedures. This happens even more frequently when they require hospitalization. The aim of this paper was to evaluate pain in healthy newborns and in newborns with Down syndrome (DS). ⋯ The results of this study revealed that babies with DS were not as quick to perceive pain after a puncture. However, when pain was finally perceived, it persisted for a longer time. This situation should be taken into account in the design of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.
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Multicenter Study
Impact of a Script-based Communication Intervention on Patient Satisfaction with Pain Management.
Pain is a common complaint among hospitalized patients no matter the diagnosis. Pain has a negative effect on many aspects of a patient's life, including quality of life, sleep, and activities of daily living as well as increased health care expenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention (script-based communication, use of white boards, and hourly rounding) related to pain management on patient satisfaction with nurses' management of pain. ⋯ When nurses used clear and consistent communication with patients in pain, a positive effect was seen in patient satisfaction with pain management over time. This intervention was simple and effective. It could be replicated in a variety of health care organizations.
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The aim of this study was to assess the application of nonpharmacologic methods to relieve pain during birthing from the point of view of primiparous women. To achieve this goal, a cross-sectional study was developed with 188 primiparous women interviewed using a standardized form on the day they were discharged from the hospital. Results indicated that the most-used nonpharmacologic method was emotional support provided by the woman's companion (97.3%), followed by warm showers (91.5%); however, the highest degree of satisfaction derived from focused attention. ⋯ There was a significant association between the general score for satisfaction and the emotional support of an obstetrics nurse (p = .0096, OR 3.78, CI 95% 1.49-9.55), of the obstetrician (p = .0031, OR 3.74, CI 95% 1.5-9.33), and of the nurse's aide (p = .0303, OR 4.56, CI 95% 1.03-20.24). We concluded that in the obstetric center where the study was conducted, nearly all the nonpharmacologic methods available are being adopted by the members of the healthcare team, with the participation of a companion. However, those that generate the highest degree of satisfaction are not those most used.