Developing 'subject matter experts': an improvement methodology programme for acute postoperative pain with patients...

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Surgical Care
• Patient Satisfaction

Background:

• Effective acute pain management post-surgery is crucial for patient satisfaction.
• Direct patient feedback is essential for evaluating pain management quality.
• Measuring acute pain effectiveness requires understanding patient experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a 'subject matter experts' acute pain program on pain management quality.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction with acute pain management within 24 hours post-major surgery.
• To determine the effectiveness of an improvement initiative in acute pain care.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, observational study in a large Irish university hospital.
• Utilized the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire.
• Involved pre- and post-intervention phases with patients (n=100 each) and nurses (n=24).

Main Results:

• Over 25% of patients experienced severe pain post-surgery, linked to analgesia and nursing communication.
• Over 50% of patients reported satisfaction with pain management, while others remained dissatisfied.
• The 'subject matter experts' program significantly influenced patients' pain beliefs.

Conclusions:

• A 'subject matter experts' acute pain program can enhance pain management in the immediate post-major surgery period.
• Developing 'subject matter experts' in acute pain is a strategic method for optimizing patient pain control.