| Primary Author: | Kim A. Hall, RN, MSN, CNL |
| Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators: | Darla Martinelli, Lisa Browning, Donna Davenport, Kristin Morrow |
| Organization: | Sierra Pacific Network, VISN 21 |
Abstract
Background
Scientific evidence indicates patient education on pain management preoperatively to improve outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is highly recommended. According to research there is a positive correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine if veterans with TKA replacement surgery that received pain management education prior to surgery reported lower levels of pain than those who did not receive pain management education.
Materials & Methods
Provide effective patient centered pain management through developing a preoperative pain management education class to include an interdisciplinary approach including: pain management, diet, exercise and deep vein thrombosis prevention. National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) patient education series for Total Knee Replacement and Krames on Demand patient education including understanding of chronic pain, communicating about pain and managing postoperative pain. Staff nurses on the postoperative unit received education on pain assessment. Pain will be assessed by current computerized patient record system (CPRS) template on thorough Pain assessment and reassessment to attain patient’s goal of managing pain to an acceptable level, and evidence of relief of pain. Care coordination, disease prevention, health promotion are all utilized to optimize pain management.
Results
Formative evaluation of this project indicates that patients who received pain management education compared to those who did not had shorter lengths of stay by 1.5 days on average, and reported unacceptable pain level prior to reaching a higher level of pain, as well as consistent lower levels of pain. Pain documentation monitoring reports indicate unit compliance rate of 99% since the initiation of the pain education classes.
Conclusion
Patient and staff education classes on pain with an interdisciplinary approach are recommended to optimize pain management, care coordination, disease prevention and health promotion.
© Improvement Science Research Network, 2011