Comparison of Two Scales for Assessing Procedural Pain During a Bed Bath

To compare pain intensity during bed bathing in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults using the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT).

This prospective observational repeated-measures study.

This study monitored 65 bed baths. Pain was assessed with the BPS and CPOT before the bath, 5 minutes after initiation, during patient lateralization, immediately after completion, and 15 minutes after completion. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests compared scores across time points, and Spearman's coefficient assessed correlations between scales. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

The study included 28 participants and 65 observed bed baths. Median age was 78.5 years, and 42.9% were male. Mean bath duration was 15 minutes and 35 seconds. BPS and CPOT scores were strongly correlated (rs = 0.837-0.894, all p < .001). Cluster-adjusted models confirmed higher pain scores during the procedure than before bathing.

Bed bathing produced mild, transient procedural pain, particularly during patient manipulation.

Both scales may support routine pain surveillance in mechanically ventilated ICU patients; selection should consider local workflow, staff training, and the need for applicability across intubated and extubated patients.