Key result
A continuous improvement program including patient information and staff education reduced the rate of surgical patients refusing offered analgesics from 70% to 56% (P=0.005).
Why the study?
Does a continuous improvement framework reduce the number of patients refusing analgesics on a surgical ward?
Does a continuous improvement framework reduce the number of patients refusing analgesics on a surgical ward?
Absolute Event Rate: 56% vs 70%
p-value: p=0.005
A continuous improvement methodology, including patient information and staff education, significantly reduced the refusal of analgesics by postoperative patients on a surgical ward.
May improve postoperative pain control via continuous improvement on one ward; leaves open generalizability and sustainability.
Despite advances in pain control many patients experience moderate to severe pain whilst in hospital. Contributory factors include inadequate assessment and documentation of pain, as well as patient and professional misconceptions. A 28-bedded surgical ward in a District General Hospital in the South of England was the setting for the project. A small preliminary audit of pain on this ward indicated that some patients experienced postoperative pain, which was not effectively controlled. A 'continuous improvement' framework was used to increase understanding of the problem and identify an aim for the project, which was to reduce the number of patients refusing analgesics when offered by nurses. An audit to ascertain how many patients refused analgesia revealed that, of 133 patients offered, 93 (70%) refused. Using the 'Model for Improvement' (Langley et al., 1996) a number of changes were introduced, including a patient information sheet, regular documented pain assessment and an innovative staff education programme. To evaluate if the changes in practice had been successful, further audit data were collected from 167 patients. Sixty-three (44%) accepted analgesics, indicating a significant decrease in the number refusing (P = 0.005). This small project demonstrated that continuous improvement methodology can improve the management of pain and quality of care for patients. Such an approach brings practitioner and patient into meaningful understanding and offers solutions which are realistic, achievable and sustainable over time. Despite finite resources and increased pressure on staff it is possible to motivate people when they feel they have ownership and change is meaningful. Continuous improvement methods offer an exciting, feasible, patient-centred approach to improving care.
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Eloise Carr (2002) studied Postoperative pain (n=300). Continuous improvement program (patient information, pain assessment, staff education) vs. Standard care (pre-intervention audit) was evaluated on Refusal of analgesics when offered by nurses (p=0.005). A continuous improvement program including patient information and staff education reduced the rate of surgical patients refusing offered analgesics from 70% to 56% (P=0.005).
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