Evidence-based nursing plus proactive nursing on postoperative satisfaction and cognitive function in surgical anesthesia patients: a quasi-experimental study

This study evaluated the effects of integrating evidence-based nursing (EBN) with proactive nursing on postoperative satisfaction and cognitive function in patients undergoing surgical anesthesia. This quasi-experimental study enrolled 160 adults scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Participants were allocated to an intervention group receiving a structured protocol combining EBN and proactive nursing, or a control group receiving standard postoperative care. The primary outcome was postoperative patient satisfaction, measured by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18). Secondary outcomes included pain scores (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE), postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, early mobility, and emotional well-being. The intervention group had higher PSQ-18 total scores before discharge than the control group (78.6 ± 6.9 vs. 69.4 ± 8.1; mean difference, 9.2; 95% CI, 6.8–11.6; Bonferroni-adjusted p < 0.001). Repeated-measures analysis of VAS pain scores revealed significant time, group, and group × time interaction effects, indicating greater pain reduction over time in the intervention group. At 24 h postoperatively, VAS scores were 3.2 ± 2.1 in the intervention group and 5.6 ± 2.5 in the control group. The group × time interaction for MMSE scores was also significant: scores changed from 27.9 ± 1.4 preoperatively to 28.4 ± 1.2 at 72 h in the intervention group, and from 28.0 ± 1.5 to 27.3 ± 1.6 in the control group. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (11.3%) in the intervention group and 33 patients (41.3%) in the control group (adjusted p = 0.031). Integrating evidence-based and proactive nursing strategies was associated with improved postoperative satisfaction and selected recovery outcomes in surgical anesthesia patients. Given the quasi-experimental design, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and confirmed in future randomized controlled trials. Not applicable.