Perception of barriers to postoperative pain management in elderly patients in Polish hospitals - a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the paper was to compare the prevalence of barriers to optimum postoperative pain management in elderly patients, observed by nurses in a clinical, provincial and municipal hospital in Poland.


BACKGROUND
It is currently estimated that the lack of adequate pain management affects 80% of the global population and the phenomenon poses a serious problem in more than 150 countries.


METHODS
A questionnaire-based study of 1602 nurses working at clinical, provincial and municipal hospitals.


RESULTS
In the clinical hospitals barriers more often related to a poorly organised systems of care and obstacles in discussing pain management within the team. In provincial and municipal hospitals lack of uninform pain measurement was more evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the availability of effective pain treatments in hospitals difficulties continue with communication, poorly organised care and limited access to clinical guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there are possibilities of pain relief after surgery, they are still used insufficiently. Postoperative pain management in Poland needs considerable improvement. This study can contribute to the improvement of pain management quality by supporting and developing practical guidelines or management algorithms for nurses, facilitating the effective implementation of new pain management practices.
Department of General Nursing, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland. wioletta.medrzycka@gumed.edu.pl.
Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska
MD
Wioletta
Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, District Health Centre in Malbork, Malbork, Poland.
Dąbrowski
D
Sebastian
Clinical Emergency Department, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Basiński
B
Andrzej
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D059408:Pain Management / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010465:Perception; D011044:Poland; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce
advanced age; barriers; nursing care; pain management