Sevilay Erden

The effect of standard pain assessment on pain and analgesic consumption amount in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Pain assessment has a key role in relief of the postoperative pain. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of the Standard Pain Assessment Protocol (SPAP), which we developed based on acute pain guidelines, on pain level, and analgesic consumption. The study population consisted of a total of 101 patients who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The routine pain assessment was administered to the control group, while the SPAP was administered to the study group. The routine pain therapy of the clinic was administered to the subjects from both groups based on the pain assessment. Throughout the study, pain was assessed nearly two times more in the study group (p<0.001) and the mean pain levels were lower at 8th-11th hours in the study group (p<0.001). Pain assessment was not performed after 12th hour despite the severe pain in the control group, and, therefore, analgesia was administered at irregular intervals or was not administered at all. However, the hours of analgesic administration were found to be more regular according to the pain levels of the patients in the study group. In conclusion, the SPAP reduced the pain level by providing regular analgesia when used in combination with regular pain assessment. PERSPECTIVE This article highlights the appropriate assessment for patients with surgical pain. In majority of literature on the subject, the authors emphasize the importance of Standard Pain Assessment Protocol to provide adequate pain relief.

The Effect of Cold Vapor Applied for Sore Throat in the Early Postoperative Period

PURPOSE This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of cold vapor applied for sore throat in the early postoperative stage. DESIGN A quasi-experimental design was used. METHODS The study sample consisted of 60 patients who underwent lumbar disc herniation surgery in the Neurosurgery Clinic of Gazi University Health Research and Practice Center in Ankara, Turkey. The study involved two intervention groups and one control group. The study data were collected through questionnaire and observation forms. FINDINGS 65% (n = 39) of patients experienced sore throat. There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of sore throat and hoarseness (P > .05); however, a significant difference was determined in the group to whom oxygen together with cold vapor was applied for dry throat (4th and 8th hours) and swallowing difficulties(8th and 12th hours) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Cold vapor did not have an effect on sore throat on its own; however, it decreased hoarseness and swallowing difficulties when applied together with oxygen.

The Problems Experienced by Parents Providing Postoperative Home Care Following Their Child's Surgery for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Families, especially mothers, experience problems providing home care after their childs surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). PURPOSE: To assess the problems experienced by parents providing postoperative home care to their child after DDH surgery. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 33 parents. Data were collected through a survey conducted at the hospital following the childs surgery and by telephone 4–6 weeks after surgery. Frequencies, means, percentages, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The parents (93.9% women) provided postoperative care for approximately 3 months. Nearly all of the parents (97%) had physical (96.9%), psychological (65.6%), and social (75.0%) problems in addition to child care problems. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend preparing a comprehensive discharge-training package for parents after their childs DDH surgery, supplementing home care instructions with visual training materials, and providing telephone counseling to parents after discharge.

The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on post-thoracotomy pain

Background: Pain guidelines suggest transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a reliable analgesic method in postoperative pain. Objectives: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled study to determine the effect of TENS on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients who have undergone posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT). Design: The study was conducted in the Thoracic Surgery Clinic of a university hospital with 40 patients (test group: 20, control group: 20) and its power was 99%. While, test group patients were administered TENS, the control group patients were not. The pain assessment and analgesic consumption in both groups were recorded. Results: The pain levels and analgesic consumption of the test group were lower than that of the control group (p < .05). Conclusions: TENS reduced PLT pain and analgesic consumption. Thus, TENS can be recommended as an easy and reliable analgesic method in PLT.

Corrigendum to “A review of postoperative pain assessment records of nurses☆” [Applied Nursing Research 38C (2017) 1–4]

The authors regret that the following abstract was not included in the original version of this paper. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Abstract Background: Although there are many recommendations and guidelines for adequate pain assessment, the quality of postoperative pain documentation does not meet the acceptable standards. Aim: The aim of the study is to review the pain assessment and analgesic records of nurses within the first 48 h in the postoperative period. Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in a University Hospital. The records of a total of 421 patients who underwent surgery between January 2014 and January 2015 were analysed. The data of the patients were obtained using the patient files. Results: Pain assessment scale was not used, and the pain records did not include intensity, location, duration and quality of the pain. The analgesic records indicated that the highest percentage (70.8%) of analgesic use was within the first postoperative two hours. Diclofenac sodium was the most commonly administered and recorded analgesic, while pethidine HCl was the least used one. More than half of the all analgesic injections (63.9%) were administered by intramuscular route. No non-pharmacological intervention including massage, hot–cold application, or positioning was reported in the nursing records. Conclusion: The postoperative pain was not assessed properly as recommended in the acute pain guidelines. Therefore, nurses should increase the awareness on the pain assessment records for effective pain management. In addition, the administration of the hospital should support the use of standard pain assessment and recording via electronic patient record system, continue online education courses and give feedback on the records of nurses regarding pain management.

A review of postoperative pain assessment records of nurses

Background Although there are many recommendations and guidelines for adequate pain assessment, the quality of postoperative pain documentation does not meet the acceptable standards. Aim The aim of the study is to review the pain assessment and analgesic records of nurses within the first 48 h in the postoperative period. Methods This retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in a University Hospital. The records of a total of 421 patients who underwent surgery between January 2014 and January 2015 were analysed. The data of the patients were obtained using the patient files. Results Pain assessment scale was not used, and the pain records did not include intensity, location, duration and quality of the pain. The analgesic records indicated that the highest percentage (70.8%) of analgesic use was within the first postoperative two hours. Diclofenac sodium was the most commonly administered and recorded analgesic, while pethidine HCl was the least used one. More than half of the all analgesic injections (63.9%) were administered by intramuscular route. No non-pharmacological intervention including massage, hot–cold application, or positioning was reported in the nursing records. Conclusion The postoperative pain was not assessed properly as recommended in the acute pain guidelines. Therefore, nurses should increase the awareness on the pain assessment records for effective pain management. In addition, the administration of the hospital should support the use of standard pain assessment and recording via electronic patient record system, continue online education courses and give feedback on the records of nurses regarding pain management.