Utilizing an outcomes approach to improve pain management by nurses: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Pain Management
• Clinical Outcomes Improvement

Background:

• Effective pain management remains a significant challenge in nursing practice.
• Existing literature highlights inconsistent and ineffective patient pain management.
• There is a need for structured interventions to standardize best practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured intervention aimed at improving patient pain management by nurses.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on nurses' knowledge and clinical practice.
• To measure changes in patient satisfaction and pain assessment consistency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the "Serial V" model for clinical outcomes improvement.
• Implemented a structured intervention comprising a self-study module and critical thinking exercises for nurses.
• Collected and analyzed outcome data on nurses' knowledge, patient satisfaction, and pain management consistency.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant improvement in nurses' cognitive knowledge of pain management (p < 0.001).
• Showed an increase in overall patient satisfaction with pain management during hospitalization.
• Observed enhanced consistency in patients' ability to rate pain intensity and identify acceptable pain levels.
• Documented more consistent pain management practice patterns among nursing staff.

Conclusions:

• The structured intervention effectively improved nurses' knowledge and pain management practices.
• Findings support the intervention's positive impact on patient satisfaction and pain assessment consistency.
• The pilot study provides a foundation for developing further strategies to optimize patient pain management.