Reducing postoperative pain by changing the process.
Untreated postoperative pain is an important ethical and financial issue that can lead to unnecessary suffering and prolonged stays in hospital. Despite the availability of effective analgesics and a growing body of published material that supports their use, postoperative pain remains a problem worldwide. To reduce acute postoperative pain, we introduced an intervention combining evidence-based analgesic protocols with the education of staff and patients on a surgical ward. The experiences of 68 patients before and 80 patients after the intervention were compared (worst pain scores, duration of pain, and satisfaction). Inadequately controlled pain was significantly reduced after the intervention, which suggests that the introduction of analgesic protocols supported by the education of staff and patients can be beneficial. Despite this, severe pain remained relatively common, indicating room for improvement. Duration of pain and patient satisfaction were not affected by the intervention, and patient satisfaction remained high throughout the study.
Crawford
F I J
FI
School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6FH, UK.
Armstrong
D
D
Boardman
C
C
Coulthard
P
P
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059787:Acute Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014147:Tramadol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D014147:Tramadol; D007052:Ibuprofen