Using mode and maximum values from the Numeric Rating Scale when evaluating postoperative pain management and...

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Clinical Nursing
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Accurate pain documentation is crucial for quality improvement in healthcare.
• Limited research exists on the impact of pain on postoperative recovery.
• Assessing the correlation between patient-reported pain and documented pain is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical utility of mode and maximum pain values from the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) using monitoring records.
• To compare patient perceptions of pain with documented pain values.
• To investigate the relationship between pain values and early postoperative recovery.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, cross-sectional study involving 157 postoperative patients.
• Patients completed questionnaires on pain intensity and recovery.
• Pain data from monitoring records were analyzed in parallel with patient responses.

Main Results:

• Mode values (0-3) were recorded for 57% on day 1 and 69% on day 2.
• Maximum values (4-10) were recorded for 73% on day 1 and 67% on day 2.
• High correspondence was found between recorded mode/maximum values and patient perceptions (88%-92%).
• Maximum values showed a stronger correlation (r=0.53) with patient-reported pain than mode values (r=0.37).

Conclusions:

• Mode and maximum pain values are viable outcome measures for postoperative pain evaluation.
• Postoperative pain negatively influences recovery, though further research is needed.
• Simplified pain assessment methods can enhance postoperative pain treatment and patient recovery.