Quality indicators in postoperative pain management: a validation study

In a previous study, strategic and clinical quality indicators were develop ed from a tentative model to assess high quality in postoperative pain mana gement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the content validit y of these 15 indicators. The indicators were compiled in a questionnaire, and two groups of nurses (n = 210, n = 321) scored each indicator on a 5-po int scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree) from three different standp oints: whether it was essential for achieving high quality, whether it was realistic to carry out, and whether it was possible for nurses to influence management. The respondents were also asked to choose the most crucial ind icators for the quality of care. The results showed that both groups of nur ses judged the 15 indicators to have content validity from all three standp oints. Both groups also found the same six indicators to be the most crucia l. These indicators concerned detecting and acting on signs and symptoms, p erforming prescriptions, informing and educating, acting on behalf of patie nts, competence/knowledge, and attitudes. The validated indicators should b e useful to consider when implementing a strategy for postoperative pain ma nagement and when planning to evaluate the quality of care.