Delivering Quality Pain Management: The Challenge for Nurses. (20th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayes, Kim; Gordon, Debra B.
• Is Part Of: AORN journal. Volume 101:Number 3(2015.Sep..)
• Page Start: 327
• Page End: 337
• Publication Date: 2015-02-20
• Subjects: acute pain -- postoperative pain management -- perianesthesia nurse -- patient satisfaction; Operating room nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers en salle d'opération -- Périodiques; Nursing -- Periodicals; Operating Room Nursing -- Periodicals; Perioperative Nursing -- Periodicals; Societies, Nursing -- Periodicals; 617.917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aorn.2014.11.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-2092

Abstract

Abstract: The delivery of high‐quality pain management in the perioperative environment can be challenging and difficult to quantify. Commonly used tools in delivering care, such as pain intensity ratings, individual pain experience reporting, assessments of individual patients' expectations, and patient satisfaction scores, have limitations and are not always useful when addressing quality improvement measures. Despite clinical advances in pain management, patients continue to experience inadequate pain control and inconsistent pain management practices. In this article, we discuss the challenges in providing consistent quality pain management, the need for a coordinated plan of care with a goal of meeting desired pain outcomes, and the essential role that perianesthesia and perioperative nurses play throughout the transitions in perioperative care to promote optimal pain management interventions based on the patient's individual needs.