Association Between Modifiable Structural and Process Factors and the Quality Indicator Pain in Nursing Home Residents: A MultiCentre Cross-Sectional Survey.

AIM(S): The aim of this study is to examine the association between modifiable structural and process factors and self-reported as well as observed pain in Swiss residential long-term care residents.

DESIGN

Sub-study of a multicentre cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Institution, unit, and staff data were collected from September 2018 to October 2019 in 118 residential long-term care institutions in Switzerland's German- and French-speaking regions using paper questionnaires. Resident data were exported during the same period from routine data sets.

RESULTS

In this study, 6213 residents from 86 residential long-term care institutions were included. Modifiable structural factors such as institutions having access to geriatricians, nursing experts and a palliative care team, the presence of a pain guideline on the unit and good teamwork among care workers were associated to less pain in residents.

CONCLUSION

It is possible for residential long-term care institutions to improve pain in residents and to optimise the quality of care by providing access to geriatricians, nursing experts and a palliative care team, working with a pain guideline and fostering teamwork.

IMPLICATION FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Residential long-term care institutions can modify and implement modifiable structural factors which can reduce pain in residents to optimise residents' quality of life and quality of care.

IMPACT

Improved pain management in residential long-term care institutions can lead to optimised quality of care and quality of life for individual residents.

REPORTING METHOD

STROBE checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.