Structured Education Programme on Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) for Orthopaedic Patients

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) via an infusion pump enables patient to administer their own analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational programme in managing post-operative pain and satisfaction on PCA following orthopedic surgery. A pre-test and post-test interventional study design with implementation of patient education programme on PCA was provided to 54 respondents. The control group received conventional PCA briefing from the Acute Pain Service protocol. Pain intensity was measured at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery and pre-test and post-test of the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R) was administered. There was difference in respondents’ level of pain score among the study respondents’ medians for control group at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery and they were 7.00 (IQR=3.00), 5.00 (IQR=2.00) and 3.00 (IQR=2.00); intervention group at 2 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs following surgery were 6.00 (IQR=2.00), 3.00 (IQR=1.00) and 1.00 (IQR=1.00) respectively. There were significant differences in median of pain score between intervention and control group at 2 (U=142.0, p<0.05), 6 (U=150.50, p<0.05) and 24 (U=120.00, p<0.05) hrs following surgery. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the median of patient’s pain severity at all pain levels i.e. least pain, worst pain, and severe pain between intervention and control group (least pain, U=219.50, p<0.05; worst pain, U=117.0, p<0.05; severe pain, U=49.0, p<0.05). In conclusion, patients who received pre-operative structured education programme showed improvement in managing post-operative pain and satisfaction on PCA after orthopedic surgery.

The Impact of a Patient Education Package on Outcomes of Pain Management Following Orthopaedic Surgery in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

Patient’s belief towards pain management may affect pain management outcomes and quality of life. The main aim of the present study was to determine the impact of a pre-operative pain education package towards pain belief among patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery in a tertiary hospital. A one-group pre-test post-test design study was conducted on orthopaedic surgery patients. Thirty respondents were recruited and pre-operative pain education was administered individually before surgery. Pre-operative and post-operative pain belief, management scores and side effects were measured using the Barrier Questionnaire (BQ-13). The results reported significant differences between pre-test scores (Mean = 41.87, Standard Deviation = 11.467) and post-test scores (Mean=34.80, Standard Deviation=13.026) of pain belief (t = 2.84, p = 0.004). There were also significant differences between pre-test scores (Mean = 37.10, Standard Deviation = 10.610) and post-test scores (Mean=30.80, Standard Deviation = 11.424) of pain management (t = 3.856, p = 0.0005). Respondent’s gender (t = -2.403, p = 0.023) and ethnicity (F = 5.038, p=0.014) reported significant differences with p value 0.05). There was positive impact of the pain education package towards pain belief and painmanagement among respondents who underwent orthopaedics surgery in a tertiary hospital. Reinforcement of pain educational program is pivotal in order to achieve optimal post-operative pain management.

Postnatal Urinary Incontinence: Prevalence and Factors Associated with It in a Malaysian Population

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of postnatal urinary incontinence (PNUI), the risk factors associated with it and postnatal women’s (PN) level of engagement in practicing traditional Malay confinement care (TMCC) in Kelantan, Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 362 postnatal women aged between 18 – 45 years and who were between three to five months post-delivery. Participants were selected through convenience sampling at six Maternal and Child Health Clinics located in comparatively similar districts. Descriptive and inferential analyses including, factor analysis, Pearson chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regressions analysis were used for data analysis. Overall, PNUI was reported by 80 women (22.1%). Vaginal delivery was associated with PNUI. All PN women within the study context practiced TMCC. The findings revealed that women who had PNUI were more likely to engage in a higher level of the ‘Body care’ component of TMCC. UI is prevalent among PN women in Kelantan, Malaysia. Further research into the impact of the ‘body care’ component of TMCC on PNUI is required.