Pain and pain-related side effects in an ICU and on a surgical unit: nurses' management.

BACKGROUND

Little research was found to indicate that pain is managed well in hospitalized patients and few studies were found regarding pain management for critical care patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which nurses manage pain effectively without side effects related to narcotic analgesics in an intensive care and a surgical unit.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 44 patients, 20 from an intensive care unit and 24 from a surgical unit. Patients completed a Visual Analogue Scale to measure pain intensity three times in 24 hours. The narcotic side effects of constipation and sedation were measured using the Constipation Assessment Scale and a sedation scale. Documentation was assessed using the Chart Audit for Pain.

RESULTS

Patients in both units continued to experience pain even with pain management interventions. The critical care nurses administered an average of 30% of the maximum narcotic dose ordered and the surgical unit nurses, 36.8%. Documentation of the effect of the pain medication was scant on both units. Although sedation was not a problem in either unit, the majority of patients reported symptoms of constipation. Documentation of this problem was scant in both units.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study suggest that nurses in both intensive care and surgical units do not appropriately assess, manage or evaluate pain and pain-related side effects. Patients who experience pain expect to have their pain controlled. Efforts must be made to change nurses' pain management behaviors.