Perception of barriers to postoperative pain management in elderly patients in Polish hospitals - a multicentre study

The purpose of the paper was to compare the prevalence of barriers to optimum postoperative pain management in elderly patients, observed by nurses in a clinical, provincial and municipal hospital in Poland.

It is currently estimated that the lack of adequate pain management affects 80% of the global population and the phenomenon poses a serious problem in more than 150 countries.

A questionnaire-based study of 1602 nurses working at clinical, provincial and municipal hospitals.

In the clinical hospitals barriers more often related to a poorly organised systems of care and obstacles in discussing pain management within the team. In provincial and municipal hospitals lack of uninform pain measurement was more evident.

Despite the availability of effective pain treatments in hospitals difficulties continue with communication, poorly organised care and limited access to clinical guidelines.

Although there are possibilities of pain relief after surgery, they are still used insufficiently. Postoperative pain management in Poland needs considerable improvement. This study can contribute to the improvement of pain management quality by supporting and developing practical guidelines or management algorithms for nurses, facilitating the effective implementation of new pain management practices.