Patients' evaluation of pain and nurses' management of analgesics after surgery. The effect of a study day on the subject of pain for nurses working at the thorax surgery department

The aims of this investigation were: to describe patients' evaluation of pa in and the treatment of pain after thorax surgery via sternotomy; to repeat the evaluation with another group of patients following a study day for nu rses, featuring pain and pain treatment; and to examine whether the study d ay influenced the nurses in their treatment of pain. The investigation incl uded daily evaluation of pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and an i nterview with the patients before discharge, where they were asked to revie w their experience of pain and its treatment. The nurses on the thorax surg ery ward and on the intensive care unit (ICU) completed a questionnaire bef ore and after the study day. Finally, a retrospective study of the case not es of the patients taking part was carried out. The results of the investig ation showed a low assessment of pain by most patients during the daily eva luation. Asked to recall their pain when interviewed, the rating was higher . A small group of patients had more evident pain than others. When adminis tering opiates the ICU nurses often chose a lower dose than the standing or der prescribed. After the study day the nurses gave larger doses of intrave nous opioids and the patients experienced less pain.