Phantom limb pain: A nursing perspective

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic pain condition occurring after amputation of a limb. PLP affects amputees’ quality of life and results in loss of productivity and psychological distress. The origin of pain from a non-existing limb creates a challenging situation for both patients and nurses. It is imperative to provide patients and nurses with the knowledge that PLP is a real phenomenon that requires care and treatment. This knowledge will lead to reduced problems for patients by allowing them to talk about PLP and ask for help when needed. Understanding of this phenomenon will enable nurses to appreciate the unique features of this form of neuropathic pain and apply appropriate techniques to promote effective pain management. Performing accurate and frequent assessments to understand the unique characteristics of PLP, displaying a non-judgemental attitude towards patients and teaching throughout the peri-operative process are significant nursing interventions.

Investigating the effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on postoperative pain intensity in adolescents undergoing surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Aim To investigate the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for postoperative pain management in adolescents. Background Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an inexpensive, non-pharmacological intervention that has successfully been used to treat chronic pain. It holds promise in the treatment of acute, postsurgical pain based on its purported effects on the brain and nervous system. Design A randomized controlled trial was used. Methods Fifty-six adolescent surgical patients aged between 12-18 years were allocated to gender-balanced Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (treatment) or non-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (control) groups. Pain was measured using the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale (WBFS) before and after the intervention (or non-intervention for the control group). Findings A Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated that the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing group experienced a significant reduction in pain intensity after treatment intervention, whereas the control group did not. Additionally, a Mann–Whitney U-test showed that, while there was no significant difference between the two groups at time 1, there was a significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups at time 2, with the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing group experiencing lower levels of pain. Conclusion These results suggest that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing may be an effective treatment modality for postoperative pain.

Sociedade Contemporânea e Cuidados Paliativos: a morte e o morrer no campo da saúde

Este trabalho refere-se a uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória que tem por objetivo geral investigar alguns aspectos que marcam a experiência da morte na modernidade, como sua crescente desqualificação e ocultamento social, e mais recentemente, no período denominado de contemporâneo, a sua maior visibilidade no campo dos saberes especializados, a fim de avaliar como tais questões se materializam no campo da assistência em saúde. Essa discussão servirá de base para a reflexão sobre o novo modelo de assistência denominado de cuidados paliativos, o qual tem significado uma tentativa de humanizar o cuidado dispensado a pacientes portadores de doença avançada, sem possibilidades de cura ou em fase de terminalidade da vida.Para tal, parte-se de uma análise da panorâmica histórica sobre os modos como a questão da morte se apresenta no século XX, além do processo de emergência do novo modelo assistencial, sendo abordados os conceitos de morte moderna - que reflete uma objetivação da morte pelo conhecimento técnico científico no campo da medicina - e morte contemporânea ou neomoderna - surgida como reação a esta última, caracterizada principalmente pela reivindicação ao direito de morrer com dignidade. Para cumprir os objetivos específicos, quais sejam, conhecer um serviço de cuidados paliativos no cotidiano de um hospital, mapear suas principais características e coletar dados sobre a dinâmica e organização do serviço foi realizada uma breve observação através de visitas ao Programa de Tratamento da Dor e Cuidados Paliativos do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (HUCFF/UFRJ). Os resultados mostraram que nos últimos 40 anos houve uma mudança notável das atitudes e das representações associadas ao fim da vida.Isso promoveu o surgimento de novas filosofias e formas alternativas para lidar com a morte e o morrer, de que os cuidados paliativos são o representante maior neste início de século, tornando-se hegemônicos no cuidado ao fim da vida nos domínios profissionais, associativos e políticos. Mostraram que os cuidados paliativos têm sido integrados ao sistema público de saúde em nosso país a partir das políticas nacionais voltadas para a realidade do câncer, com desenvolvimento especialmente no contexto hospitalar de alta complexidade, ainda circunscritos exclusivamente ao domínio do especialista, fato indicado pelo desconhecimento da clientela sobre a existência e natureza do serviço.

Increasing research evidence in practice: a possible role for the consultant nurse

Aims: To determine the extent to which clinical nursing practice has adopted research evidence. To identify barriers to the application of research findings in practice and to propose ways of overcoming these barriers. Background: Way back in 1976, nursing and midwifery practice started adopting research evidence. By 1990s, there was some transparency of research evidence in practice, but more could have been done to widen its adoption. Many barriers were identified which could hinder implementation of the evidence in practice, and the effort to remove these remains weak. Evaluation: 25 research articles from across Europe and America were selected, and scrutinized, and recommendations analysed. Findings: Many clinical practitioners report a lack of time, ability and motivation to appraise research reports and adopt findings in practice. The clinical environment was not seen as research friendly as there were a general lack of research activities and facilities locally. There was a clear lack of research leadership in practice. Implication for nursing management: This paper reviewed the research evidence from several published research papers and provides consultant nurses with practical suggestions on how to enhance research evidence application in their practice. It recommends how consultant nurses can make their practice more research transparent by providing the required leadership, creating a research-friendly organization, developing a clear research agenda and facilitating staff develop a local research framework for reading research and implementing research evidence in their practice.

The Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Pain Protocol in Long Term Care

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of (1) dissemination strategies to improve clinical practice behaviors (eg, frequency and documentation of pain assessments, use of pain medication) among health care team members, and (2) the implementation of the pain protocol in reducing pain in long term care (LTC) residents. Design: A controlled before-after design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the pain protocol, whereas qualitative interviews and focus groups were used to obtain additional context-driven data. Setting: Four LTC facilities in southern Ontario, Canada; 2 for the intervention group and 2 for the control group. Participants: Data were collected from 200 LTC residents; 99 for the intervention and 101 for the control group. Intervention: Implementation of a pain protocol using a multifaceted approach, including a site working group or Pain Team, pain education and skills training, and other quality improvement activities. Measurements: Resident pain was measured using 3 assessment tools: the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate, the Pain Assessment in the Communicatively Impaired Elderly, and the Present Pain Intensity Scale. Clinical practice behaviors were measured using a number of process indicators; for example, use of pain assessment tools, documentation about pain management, and use of pain medications. A semistructured interview guide was used to collect qualitative data via focus groups and interviews. Results: Pain increased significantly more for the control group than the intervention group over the 1-year intervention period. There were significantly more positive changes over the intervention period in the intervention group compared with the control group for the following indicators: the use of a standardized pain assessment tool and completed admission/initial pain assessment. Qualitative findings highlight the importance of reminding staff to think about pain as a priority in caring for residents and to be mindful of it during daily activities. Using onsite champions, in this case advanced practice nurses and a Pain Team, were key to successfully implementing the pain protocol. Conclusions: These study findings indicate that the implementation of a pain protocol intervention improved the way pain was managed and provided pain relief for LTC residents.

Assessing pain in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit:moving to a 'brain-oriented' approach

Preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit undergo repeated exposure to procedural and ongoing pain. Early and long-term changes in pain processing, stress-response systems and development may result from cumulative early pain exposure. So that appropriate treatment can be given, accurate assessment of pain is vital, but is also complex because these infants' responses may differ from those of full-term infants. A variety of uni- and multidimensional assessment tools are available; however, many have incomplete psychometric testing and may not incorporate developmentally important cues. Near-infrared spectroscopy and/or EEG techniques that measure neonatal pain responses at a cortical level offer new opportunities to validate neonatal pain assessment tools.

Implementing change in the neonatal unit: Part 1 – The evidence base

Pain management in premature and sick babies has long been recognised as a vital component of neonatal care; however practices pertaining to pain assessment and administration of analgesia remain variable in Neonatal Units (NNU). Sucrose has been identified as an effective agent in reducing pain during minor painful procedures in premature babies but the uptake has been modest.This article is the first of two, and will describe the rationale for implementation of sucrose administration as a measure for pain relief for minor procedures in one neonatal unit in Northern Ireland. Current literature relating to use of sucrose willbe utilised in generating debate and discussion around the implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for Sucrose use.

Functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation versus outpatient physiotherapy for non specific low back pain: randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: In recent decades the treatment of non-specific low back pain has turned to active modalities, some of which were based on cognitive-behavioural principles. Non-randomised studies clearly favour functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation over outpatient physiotherapy. However, systematic reviews and meta-analysis provide contradictory evidence regarding the effects on return to work and functional status. The aim of the present randomised study was to compare long-term functional and work status after 3-week functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation or 18 supervised outpatient physiotherapy sessions. METHODS: 109 patients with non-specific low back pain were randomised to either a 3-week functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, including physical and ergonomic training, psychological pain management, back school and information, or 18 sessions of active outpatient physiotherapy over 9 weeks. Primary outcomes were functional disability (Oswestry) and work status. Secondary outcomes were lifting capacity (Spinal Function Sort and PILE test), lumbar range-of-motion (modified-modified Schöber and fingertip-to-floor tests), trunk muscle endurance (Shirado and Biering-Sörensen tests) and aerobic capacity (modified Bruce test). RESULTS: Oswestry disability index was improved to a significantly greater extent after functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation compared to outpatient physiotherapy at follow-up of 9 weeks (P = 0.012), 9 months (P = 0.023) and 12 months (P = 0.011). Work status was significantly improved after functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation only (P = 0.012), resulting in a significant difference compared to outpatient physiotherapy at 12 months' follow-up (P = 0.012). Secondary outcome results were more contrasted. CONCLUSIONS: Functional multidisciplinary rehabilitation was better than outpatient physiotherapy in improving functional and work status. From an economic point of view, these results should be backed up by a cost-effectiveness study.

Knowledge and attitudes of Registered Nurses toward pain /

This research provided relevant data to support pain research literature that finds nurses do not have the knowledge base that they require to sufficiently provide effective pain management. The data demonstrated that nurses have mixed attitudes toward pain. These two findings have been observed in the literature for more than 20 years, but were important results for the hospitals and the nurses involved in the study. The purposes of this study were to identify the level of knowledge and attitudes in a sample of nurses fi-om the surgical and medical units in three hospitals, and determine whether a difference between these two groups existed. The institutional resources to support pain relief practices provided by each hospital were also documented. Data were collected using a convenience sample from the medical and surgical units of three hospitals. Ofthe 1 13 nurses who volunteered to participate, 78 worked in surgical units and 35 worked in medical units. Demographic data were collected about the participants. The established instruments used to obtain data about knowledge and attitude included: (a) Nurses Knowledge of Pain Issues Survey, (b)Attitude to Pain Control Scale, and (c) Andrew and Robert Vignette. Data collected were quantitative along with two open-ended questions for a rich, qualitative section. Inadequate knowledge and outdated attitudes were very evident in the responses. Data from the open-ended questions described how nurses assessed pain and the most conmion problems caring for patients in pain. Nursing practice implications for these hospitals involve initiating a process to develop an educational pain program for nurses throughout the hospital. Utilizing findings from other studies, the program should have an interdisciplinary approach to the planning, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing support. This study supports the belief that inadequate pain management has been attributed to many factors, most importantly to a lack of knowledge. Pain is a costly, unnecessary complication for the patient as well as the hospital. It follows then, that it is in the best interest of all involved to implement an educational pain program in order to influence practice.

Effet d’un suivi infirmier téléphonique effectué auprès de parents, sur la gestion de la douleur et la prévention de complications postopératoires d’enfants ayant subi une amygdalectomie

Introduction : Il a été démontré que les enfants opérés pour une amygdalectomie éprouvaient des niveaux de douleur modérée à sévère, et ce pendant plusieurs jours suite à la chirurgie. Suite au retour à domicile, plusieurs parents ont tendance à administrer l’analgésie de façon non-optimale à leur enfant et ce pour diverses raisons, ce qui contribue au maintien de niveaux de douleur élevés et à l’incidence de complications postopératoires. But : Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer l’effet d'un suivi infirmier téléphonique, effectué auprès de parents d'enfants opérés pour une amygdalectomie, sur la gestion de la douleur et la prévention de complications postopératoires. Méthode : Cette étude clinique randomisée a comparé un groupe expérimental (suivi infirmier téléphonique) à un groupe contrôle (traitement standard) (n = 52). Le suivi infirmier téléphonique fut effectué au 1er, 3e, 5e et 10e jour postopératoire et permettait d’évaluer l’évolution du client et d’offrir un enseignement personnalisé selon un cadre prédéfini. Les critères d’évaluation furent l’intensité de la douleur, la quantité d’analgésie administrée à l’enfant, les complications postopératoires et le recours à des services de santé non-planifiés. Résultats : Les enfants du groupe expérimental ont présenté une intensité de douleur plus faible au 3e jour postopératoire, le matin (P= 0.041) et le soir (P= 0.010). Les enfants de ce groupe ont reçu davantage de doses d’analgésiques au 1er jour postopératoire (P= 0.007) et au 5e jour postopératoire (P= 0.043). Ils ont eu moins de vomissements au congé de l’hôpital (P= 0.040) et au 3e jour postopératoire (P= 0.042), moins de somnolence au 1er jour postopératoire (P= 0.041), une meilleure hydratation au 1er (P= 0.014) et 3e jour postopératoire (P= 0.019), mais ont souffert davantage de constipation au 3e jour postopératoire (P< 0.001). Aucune différence significative n’a été observée quant au recours à des services de santé. Conclusion : Le suivi infirmier téléphonique, effectué auprès de parents d'enfants opérés pour une amygdalectomie, a certains effets bénéfiques sur la gestion de la douleur et la prévention de complications postopératoires, mais n’a pas eu d’effet significatif sur le recours à des services de santé.

Intervention permettant une meilleure prise en charge des autosoins par la clientèle adulte de chirurgie intestinale

Rapport de stage présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de Maitre és sciences (M.Sc) en sciences infirmières option expertise-conseil en soins infirmiers

But the Pain Remains: A Response to Verpaelst

Commentaire / Commentary

Comparacion de dos tecnicas anestesicas para legrado uterino

Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo para evaluar las ventajas de la técnica regional sobre la técnica general en mujeres ASA 1 y 2 en Hospital Occidente de Kennedy. Se evaluaron los signos vitales, tiempo de recuperación, analgesia postoperatoria y efectos colaterales. Resultados: se incluyeron un total de 177 pacientes, 79 con anestesia regional y 98 pacientes con anestesia general. Los resultados en el postoperatorio mostraron que no hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a manejo de dolor, efectos colaterales, variación en signos vitales. Se encontró una diferencia significativa en el tiempo de recuperación p=0,02 siendo la técnica espinal 20 minutos en promedio más prolongada. Discusión: ambas técnicas suponen una buena opción como técnica anestésica para pacientes llevadas a legrado obstétrico, a pesar que el tiempo de recuperación fue mayor en el grupo de técnica espinal, se obtuvo un mejor manejo del dolor, sin el requerimiento de otros analgésicos durante el postoperatorio.

Evaluación e intervención interdisciplinaria del dolor en Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo

El dolor es un problema importante para los pacientes hospitalizados en las UCI porque genera malestar y distrés. Además, la investigación ha demostrado que en algunos pacientes críticos el dolor agudo puede persistir después de alta y convertirse en crónico. La gestión eficaz del dolor en pacientes críticos requiere un enfoque interdisciplinario, que incorpore la visión y trabajo de expertos que representan una amplia variedad de especialidades clínicas. Así, la utilización de la intervención psicológica en el tratamiento del dolor es una parte integral de un enfoque global. Basado en una revisión de la evidencia científica, se identifican y señalan: (1) los tipos de dolor más comunes; (2) las características del dolor; (3) las patologías más frecuentes asociadas con la presencia de dolor; (4) los procedimientos que generan dolor en la UCI; (5) los métodos de evaluación del dolor; (6) la intervención del mismo y; (7) la contribución del psicólogo en la evaluación y manejo del dolor con el paciente, los familiares y los profesionales de la salud. La revisión realizada indica que los procesos psicológicos influyen tanto en la experiencia del dolor como en los resultados del tratamiento, por lo tanto la integración de los principios psicológicos en el tratamiento del dolor parecen tener potencial mejora de los resultados beneficiando la salud del paciente.

Evaluación de la validez de la escala llanto para el dolor en neonatos y menores de cinco años

Introducción: La escala LLANTO para dolor es una escala que hasta la fecha ha sido solo validada en población infantil española, actualmente no se conocen datos en población colombiana. Se pretende validar la escala de dolor LLANTO en pacientes neonatos y menores de 5 años, a través de su aplicación en pacientes atendidos en una de tres instituciones, además comparándola con las escalas FLACC y PIPP dependiendo de edad del paciente. Metodología: Se incluyeron niños con cualquier tipo de dolor, clasificándolos en dos grupos por edad: 1) neonatos y 2) niños entre 1 mes y 5 años de edad, que asistieron a la Fundación Cardioinfantil, Clínica Infantil Colsubsidio o al Hospital Universitario Mayor. Las escalas fueron aplicadas por dos residentes de pediatría y una enfermera especializada en el cuidado de población infantil. Para la prueba piloto se diseñó un cuestionario determinar dificultades en la aplicación de la escala LLANTO. Una vez corregidos los problemas identificados se procederá a la validación de la escala. Resultados: Se presentan los datos de la prueba piloto. Se incluyeron 8 neonatos y 8 niños entre 1 mes y 5 años, esta muestra fue obtenida en un periodo de un mes, con la encuesta se evaluó la aceptación y entendimiento de la escala LLANTO por parte de los evaluadores. La prueba piloto mostró resultados favorables en el 100% de los encuestados. Discusión: Se considera que la escala LLANTO no requiere cambios para continuar con su validación.