Implementation of a Multimodal Analgesia Protocol Among Outpatient Neurosurgical Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery to Improve Patient Outcomes.

PURPOSE: This quality improvement project implemented an evidence-based multimodal analgesia protocol among patients undergoing outpatient spine surgery in an attempt to decrease postoperative opioid requirements, postoperative pain scores, and facility and postanesthesia care unit length of stay (LOS). DESIGN: Two independent samples were compared with a preimplementation and postimplementation design. There were 37 patients in the preimplementation group and 36 patients in the postimplementation group. METHODS: Data were collected by a retrospective chart review of neurosurgical patients undergoing spine surgery and included postoperative opioid requirements, postoperative pain scores, facility and postanesthesia care unit LOS, and the number of protocol components implemented on each patient. FINDINGS: Intraoperative and postoperative by mouth opioid requirements were significantly decreased postimplementation. Postoperative opioid requirements decreased, and postimplementation pain scores were reduced across all time points. LOS did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: This multimodal analgesia protocol significantly decreased opioid consumption among neurosurgical patients at this surgery center.

The impact of introducing nurse-led analgesia and sedation guidelines in ventilated infants following cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced clinical outcomes in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit following standardisation of analgesia and sedation practice are reported. Little is known about the impact of standardisation of analgesia and sedation practice including incorporation of a validated distress assessment instrument on infants post cardiac surgery, a subset of whom have Trisomy 21. This study investigated whether the parallel introduction of nurse-led analgesia and sedation guidelines including regular distress assessment would impact on morphine administered to infants post cardiac surgery, and whether any differences observed would be amplified within the Trisomy 21 population. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective single centre before/after study design was used. Patients aged between 44 weeks postconceptual age and one year old who had open cardiothoracic surgery were included. RESULTS: 61 patients before and 64 patients after the intervention were included. After the intervention, a reduction in the amount of morphine administered was not evident, while greater use of adjuvant sedatives and analgesics was observed. Patients with Trisomy 21 had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation after the change in practice. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study affirm the importance of the nurses' role in managing prescribed analgesia and sedation supported by best available evidence. A continued education and awareness focus on analgesia and sedation management in the pursuit of best patient care is imperative.

Barriers to venipuncture-induced pain prevention in cancer patients: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Procedural pain reduces the quality of life of cancer patients. Although there are recommendations for its prevention, there are some obstacles for its management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the barriers to procedural pain prophylaxis in cancer patients reflecting the views of the nurses. METHODS: We used qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, focusing on practices of venipuncture-induced and needle change for implantable central venous access port (ICVAP) pain management in cancer patients. A thematic analysis approach informed the data analysis. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 17 nurses. The study highlighted 4 main themes; technical and relational obstacles, nurses' professional recognition, the role of the team, and organizational issues. Participants understood the painful nature of venipuncture. Despite being aware of the benefits of the anesthetic patch, they did not utilize it in a systematic way. We identified several barriers at different levels: technical, relational and previous experience of incident pain. Several organizational issues were also highlighted (e.g. lack of protocol, lack of time). CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of venipuncture-induced cancer pain requires a structured training program, which should reflect the views of nurses in clinical practice.

Multimodal Pain Management for Enhanced Recovery: Reinforcing the Shift From Traditional Pathways Through Nurse-Led Interventions.

Despite recent advances in perioperative patient care, postsurgical pain continues to be undermanaged. There is increasing acceptance of the concept that effective postsurgical pain management is best achieved through combined use of more than one analgesic agent or technique, and overreliance on opioids produces unwanted side effects limiting their utility. Accordingly, a balanced, multimodal approach to pain management within the larger framework of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway has become standard at many institutions for perioperative care, to control postsurgical pain, reduce opioid-related adverse events, hasten postsurgical recovery, and shorten length of hospital stay. The success of ERAS is dependent on nurses and the multidisciplinary team to execute its standardized processes across the care continuum, including patient education, perioperative care, and postsurgical evaluation. Here, we review current concepts related to multimodal analgesia and ERAS regarding care of adult surgical patients and discuss the perioperative nurse's role within this paradigm.

Trends in nurse-administered procedural sedation and analgesia across cardiac catheterisation laboratories in Australia and New Zealand: results of an electronic survey.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of current trends in nurse-administered procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory (CCL) may provide important insights into how to improve safety and effectiveness of this practice. OBJECTIVE: To characterise current practice as well as education and competency standards regarding nurse-administered PSA in Australian and New Zealand CCLs. DESIGN: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was used. METHODS: Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire on practice, educational standards and protocols related to nurse-administered PSA. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. RESULTS: A sample of 62 nurses, each from a different CCL, completed a questionnaire that focused on PSA practice. Over half of the estimated total number of CCLs in Australia and New Zealand was represented. Nurse-administered PSA was used in 94% (n=58) of respondents CCLs. All respondents indicated that benzodiazepines, opioids or a combination of both is used for PSA (n=58). One respondent indicated that propofol was also used. 20% (n=12) indicated that deep sedation is purposefully induced for defibrillation threshold testing and cardioversion without a second medical practitioner present. Sedation monitoring practices vary considerably between institutions. 31% (n=18) indicated that comprehensive education about PSA is provided. 45% (n=26) indicated that nurses who administer PSA should undergo competency assessment. CONCLUSION: By characterising nurse-administered PSA in Australian and New Zealand CCLs, a baseline for future studies has been established. Areas of particular importance to improve include protocols for patient monitoring and comprehensive PSA education for CCL nurses in Australia and New Zealand.

Assistência de enfermagem ao paciente grande queimado submetido à sedação e analgesia: uma revisão de literatura / The nursing care for large burned patient undergoing sedation and analgesia: a literature review

Estudo sobre a assistência de enfermagem nos pacientes queimados em uso de analgésicos e sedativos. Através de busca em bases de dados eletrônicas, num recorte temporal entre 2000 a 2011. Os resultados evidenciaram duas categorias: Tratamento farmacológico e Assistência de enfermagem ao paciente queimado submetido a sedação e analgesia. Conclui-se que a atuação do enfermeiro é fundamental no processo de identificação, tratamento e avaliação da dor do paciente queimado e deve estar baseado em evidências científicas para promover um cuidado de qualidade e seguro.

Study on the nursing assistance in burnt patients in use of analgesics and sedatives, by searching electronic databases, at a time frame from 2000 to 2011. The results showed two categories: Drug Therapy and Nursing care to burnt patients undergoing sedation and analgesia. It is concluded that the role of the nurse is fundamental in the process of identification, treatment and evaluation of pain in burnt patients and should be based on scientific evidence to promote quality and safe care.

Estudio sobre la asistencia de enfermería en pacientes con quemaduras en uso de analgésicos y sedantes, mediante la búsqueda de bases de datos electrónicas, a un marco de tiempo desde 2000 hasta 2011. Los resultados mostraron dos categorias: Farmacoterapia y Atención de enfermería a pacientes quemados sometidos a sedación y analgesia. Se conduye que el papel dei enfermero es fundamental en el proceso de identificación, trata- miento y evaluación dei dolor en pacientes con que maduras y debe basarse en la evidencia científica para promover una atención de calidad y segura.

Patient-controlled versus scheduled, nurse-administered analgesia following vaginal reconstructive surgery: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patient-controlled analgesia or scheduled intravenous analgesia provides superior pain relief and satisfaction with pain control after vaginal reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-nine women scheduled for vaginal reconstructive surgery were enrolled in this randomized trial. Operative procedures and postoperative orders were standardized. Visual analog scales for pain and satisfaction with pain control were recorded during the hospital stay and 2 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia had less pain on postoperative day 1, 25 mm vs 39 mm, on visual analog scales (P = .007). Although this group used twice as much hydromorphone (3.57 mg vs 1.48 mg, P < .001), there was no difference in side effects, length of hospital stay, or complications. For the sample overall, larger amounts of narcotic used correlated with higher pain scores (r = 0.364, P = .009) and worse satisfaction scores (r = -0.348, P = .012). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing vaginal surgery, patient-controlled analgesia offers superior pain relief on postoperative day 1 when compared with scheduled, nurse-administered hydromorphone.

Manejo da dor e dificuldades relatadas pela equipe de enfermagem na administração de opióides / Pain's handling and reported difficulties by nursing team at opioids drugs administration / Manejo del dolor y dificultades relatadas por el equipo de enfermería en la administración de opioides

O estudo teve como objetivos identificar a intensidade mínima de dor auto-relatada necessária para que técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem iniciem a terapêutica analgésica farmacológica, se esses profissionais avaliam a dor no período pós-procedimento, e quais as dificuldades que encontram para a administração de analgésicos. Estudo quantitativo, exploratório, realizado em um Hospital Universitário no norte do Paraná. Participaram 188 técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem. Como resultados, 58,4% dos profissionais administram analgésicos diante do relato de dor leve, 39% de dor moderada e 2,6% de dor intensa. 85% dos profissionais avaliam a dor após a administração do analgésico. As dificuldades na administração referem-se à ausência de prescrição de analgésicos (65%) e a falta destes na farmácia (19%). O medo da dependência de opióides foi relatado por 76% participantes. Sugere-se que os pacientes tenham recebido uma analgesia insuficiente, o que propicia aumento do sofrimento no doente com dor.

The study's objectives were to identify the minimum intensity of self-reported pain that is necessary for nursing technicians and assistants to start pharmacological analgesic therapy, whether these professionals evaluate pain in the post-procedure period and what are the difficulties encountered in administering analgesics. This is a quantitative and exploratory study undertaken at a University Hospital in the North of Paraná. A hundred and eighty-eight nursing technicians and assistants took part in this research. Results showed that 58,4% of the professionals administer analgesics when faced with a mild pain report, 39% in moderate pain and 2,6% in intense pain. 85% of these professionals evaluate pain after administering the analgesic. Difficulties found in analgesic administration refer to lack of prescription of analgesics (65%) and stock shortage in the pharmacy (19%). Fear of opioids addiction was reported by 76% of the participants. Results suggest that it is likely patients have received insufficient analgesics, which increases patient's suffering with pain.

El estudio tuvo como objetivos identificarla intensidad mínima de dolor auto-relatada necesaria para que técnicos y auxiliares de enfermería inicien terapéutica analgésica farmacológica, siesos profesionales evalúan el dolor en el período pos-procedimiento, y cuales son las dificultades que encuentran para la administración de analgésicos. Estudio cuantitativo, exploratorio, realizado en un Hospital Universitario en el norte del Paraná. Participaron 188 técnicos/auxiliares de enfermería. Como resultados, el 58,4% de los profesionales administran analgésicos ante el relato de dolor leve, el 39% de dolor moderado y el 2,6% de dolor intenso. 85% de los profesionales evalúan el dolor después de la administración del analgésico. Las dificultades en la administración se refieren a la ausencia de prescripción de analgésicos (65%) y la falta de estos en la farmacia (19%). El miedo de la dependencia de opioides fue relatado por el 76% de los participantes. Se sugiere que los pacientes tengan recibido una analgesia insuficiente, lo que propicia aumento del sufrimiento al enfermo con dolor.

A theory-based educational intervention targeting nurses' attitudes and knowledge concerning cancer-related pain management: a study protocol of a quasi-experimental design.

BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most frequent problems among patients diagnosed with cancer. Despite the availability of effective pharmacological treatments, this group of patients often receives less than optimal treatment. Research into nurses' pain management highlights certain factors, such as lack of knowledge and attitudes and inadequate procedures for systematic pain assessment, as common barriers to effective pain management. However, educational interventions targeting nurses' pain management have shown promise. As cancer-related pain is also known to have a negative effect on vital aspects of the patient's life, as well as being commonly associated with problems such as sleep, fatigue, depression and anxiety, further development of knowledge within this area is warranted. METHODS/DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study design will be used to investigate whether the implementation of guidelines for systematic daily pain assessments following a theory-based educational intervention will result in an improvement in knowledge and attitude among nurses. A further aim is to investigate whether the intervention that targets nurses' behaviour will improve hospital patients' perception of pain. Data regarding nurses' knowledge and attitudes to pain (primary outcome), patient perception regarding pain (secondary outcome), together with socio-demographic variables, will be collected at baseline and at four weeks and 12 weeks following the intervention. DISCUSSION: Nursing care is nowadays acknowledged as an increasingly complicated activity and "nursing complexity is such that it can be seen as the quintessential complex intervention." To be able to change and improve clinical practice thus requires multiple points of attack appropriate to meet complex challenges. Consequently, we expect the theory-based intervention used in our quasi-experimental study to improve care as well as quality of life for this group of patients and we also envisage that evidence-based guidelines targeting this patient group's pain will be implemented more widely. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01313234.

Implementação de medidas para o alívio da dor em neonatos pela equipe de enfermagem / Nursing team implementation of measures for pain relief in neonates

Estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa, que objetivou identificar a implementação de medidas para o alívio da dor em neonatos pelos profissionais de Enfermagem, bem como caracterizá-las em tipo, frequência e finalidade da aplicação. Desenvolvido entre agosto e outubro de 2007 em quatro hospitais de referência no atendimento neonatal em Fortaleza-Ceará. Um formulário foi aplicado em 180 profissionais. Os dados foram analisados com estatística descritiva simples e apresentados em tabelas. A maioria dos profissionais (98,8 por cento) afirmou implementar medidas para minimizar a dor do neonato, destacando-se: Chupeta de gaze com glicose (43,3 por cento); Acalento (23,3 por cento); Pacotinho (19,4 por cento). Quanto às justificativas, a maioria (85 por cento) relatou que executa tais medidas para acalmar/aliviar o sofrimento do bebê. Em conclusão, as entrevistadas demonstraram conhecer o efeito benéfico da glicose para o neonato e implementar estratégias que, aplicadas em conjunto antes dos procedimentos dolorosos, proporcionam alívio e tranquilidade para o bebê.

[Prediction of postoperative pain - beneficial to perioperative pain management?]. / Die Vorhersage postoperativer Schmerzen - ein Nutzen für das perioperative Schmerzmanagement?

Pain treatment of surgical patients is still a deficient area, even if there are evidence-based possibilities of pain management. The aim of this study is to identify patients with a higher risk of severe postoperative pain at an early stage and improve nurses' pain management by identifying pain predictors whilst including them in analgesic treatment. In addition to the identification of predictors by a literature review, a cross-sectional study with 84 surgical patients of a convenience sample was undertaken to find possible predictors. The enquiry was conducted by means of a questionnaire which the patient had to fill in prior surgery. The intensity of pain was surveyed in a personal interview on the first post-operative day. Correlation analysis was applied to verify the statistical significance of patient characteristics as well as surgical variables. Out of the 14 variables preoperative pain was found to increase the risk of postoperative pain. Comparison with other studies showed inconsistent results for pain predictors, and therefore nursing pain management based on pain predictors seems questionable.

[Descriptive study of the postoperative pain assessment and documentation process in a university hospital]. / Étude descriptive du processus d'évaluation et de documentation de la douleur postopératoire dans un hôpital universitaire.

Several studies have shown that patients often receive inadequate treatment of postoperative pain. The aim of the present descriptive study was to examine and analyze various data related to the postoperative pain assessment of 40 patients who underwent elective surgery. Pain journals were to be completed by patients during every waking hour for the first three postoperative days to assess both pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. A post hoc analysis of patient records permitted verification of pain assessment by nurses for each patient. The results showed that not only was postoperative pain rarely assessed using a valid scale, it was also poorly documented. In addition, when nurses assessed and documented postoperative pain using a numerical scale, their results were very different from patients' assessments. For the first postoperative day, the mean (± SD) pain intensity documented by nurses on a 0 to 10 numerical scale was 1.57±0.23, while the mean pain intensity noted by patients using the same scale was 3.82±0.41. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between mean pain intensity documented by nurses and the mean pain intensity noted by patients.

Periprocedural pain of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although radiofrequency ablation has been accepted as a safe and effective treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma, there are few studies addressing periprocedural pain. Our study aims were to investigate periprocedural pain and evaluate its related factors. Ninety-nine patients diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma and who underwent radiofrequency ablation were consecutively enrolled. The pain intensity, mental preparation status for radiofrequency ablation, and demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. We used an 11-point numerical rating scale to assess for pain. Forty-three percent of subjects reported the intensity of periprocedural pain as more than a level of six (severe pain). The longer duration of ablation (r(s) = .29, p = .004), the number of ablations (r(s) = .27, p = .008), higher pain anxiety (r(s) = .42, p < .001), and difficulty sleeping on the previous day (r(s) = .24, p = .019) were factors related to experiencing more severe pain. The major related factors to severe periprocedural pain were the longer duration of ablation and the more anxiety about pain. Clinicians should offer better information to radiofrequency ablation patients regarding pain expectations and carefully consider periprocedural analgesia requirements.

Acute pain management following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Obesity is a growing public health problem. This article provides an overview of the health implications associated with obesity. It describes laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, an invasive intervention for the management of obesity. Strategies for achieving effective pain management following this procedure are discussed.

Pain in the older adult: an imperative across all health care settings.

Across all care settings for older patients, pain is often ineffectively managed. A gap still exists between best-practice recommendations for pain assessment/treatment and current clinical practice, despite the availability of guidelines. Using a validated pain scale is critical to objectively evaluate pain intensity. Assessing pain in patients with cognitive impairment can be particularly challenging, but using pain behaviors and specifically designed, reliable, and valid tools can assist the process. Other guiding principles when selecting pain assessment tools, such as clinical usability and potential limitations, are discussed. Once pain is identified, the goals of care for older patients center on positively affecting function. Pain undertreatment is a particularly important phenomenon to address, because unrelieved persistent pain can significantly affect older individuals. Approaches tailored to an individual's needs and supported by the best available evidence should be implemented to improve patient outcomes and to increase the consistency with which care is delivered to the growing population of older Americans. The goal of this paper was to provide current evidence-based strategies and tools for pain assessment in older adults, including those with cognitive impairment.

Nursing considerations in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a potentially lethal condition that may be encountered during the entire life span of patients with many forms of congenital or acquired heart disease, pulmonary disorders, and other diseases. Each pulmonary hypertensive patient requires anticipatory interventions geared to prevent severe exacerbations of the pulmonary hypertensive condition, promote pulmonary vasodilation, and optimize ventricular function. Patients with pulmonary hypertension are at higher risk for developing pulmonary hypertensive episodes in the immediate postoperative period after cardiac surgery, as well as during nonsurgical admissions. Nurses are in a critical position to provide anticipatory care to prevent the development of pulmonary hypertensive events. Nurses can be instrumental in optimizing outcomes for patients with pulmonary hypertension by providing immediate care upon the development of a pulmonary hypertension event and by monitoring ongoing responses to adjustments in therapeutic interventions.

Improvement of pain related self management for oncologic patients through a trans institutional modular nursing intervention: protocol of a cluster randomized multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most frequent and distressing symptoms in cancer patients. For the majority of the patients, sufficient pain relief can be obtained if adequate treatment is provided. However, pain remains often undertreated due to institutional, health care professional and patient related barriers. Patients self management skills are affected by the patients' knowledge, activities and attitude to pain management. This trial protocol is aimed to test the SCION-PAIN program, a multi modular structured intervention to improve self management in cancer patients with pain. METHODS: 240 patients with diagnosed malignancy and pain > 3 days and average pain >or= 3/10 will participate in a cluster randomized trial on 18 wards in 2 German university hospitals. Patients from the intervention wards will receive, additionally to standard pain treatment, the SCION-PAIN program consisting of 3 modules: pharmacologic pain management, nonpharmacologic pain management and discharge management. The intervention will be conducted by specially trained oncology nurses and includes components of patient education, skills training and counseling to improve self care regarding pain management beginning with admission followed by booster session every 3rd day and one follow up telephone counseling within 2 to 3 days after discharge. Patients in the control group will receive standard care. Primary endpoint is the group difference in patient related barriers to management of cancer pain (BQII), 7 days after discharge. Secondary endpoints are: pain intensity & interference, adherence, coping and HRQoL. DISCUSSION: The study will determine if the acquired self management skills of the patients continue to be used after discharge from hospital. It is hypothesized that patients who receive the multi modular structured intervention will have less patient related barriers and a better self management of cancer pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials NCT00779597.