Inadequate pain management in postoperative patients. STEP 1- ATTENTION: PICOT Question USED IN PART 1: In postoperative patients (P), does the implementation of a multimodal pain man

1- Healthcare Problem: Inadequate pain management in postoperative patients.

PICOT Question: In postoperative patients (P), does the implementation of a multimodal pain

management approach (I), compared to traditional unimodal pain management (C), result in

improved pain control, reduced opioid consumption, and shorter hospital stays (O), within the

first 72 hours after surgery (T)? THIS PICTO NEED IRB APPROVAL, NEED BE MODIFY

IN CAPSTONE PART 2 or WILL GET 0 ( ATTENTION VERY IMPORTANT)

2- Inadequate pain management in postoperative patients can have several impacts:

• Patient Impact: Inadequate pain management can lead to increased suffering, decreased

patient satisfaction, and compromised overall well-being. Patients may experience

prolonged pain, which can impair their ability to perform daily activities, hinder their

recovery, and negatively impact their quality of life.

• Community Impact: Inadequate pain management in postoperative patients can have

broader consequences on the community. Patients who experience uncontrolled pain may

require additional support and resources from family members or caregivers, potentially

affecting their own well-being and daily routines. Moreover, individuals within the

community may become more reluctant to undergo surgery if they perceive inadequate

pain management as a potential consequence.

• Cost of Care: Inadequate pain management can contribute to increased healthcare costs.

Uncontrolled pain may lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased medication

requirements, and additional interventions or procedures to manage pain effectively.

These factors can significantly escalate healthcare expenses, impacting both the patient

and the healthcare system as a whole.

• Quality of Life: Postoperative patients experiencing inadequate pain management may

face limitations in their ability to engage in daily activities, experience disrupted sleep

patterns, and have reduced physical and emotional well-being. Chronic pain can affect

their overall quality of life, including their ability to work, socialize, and participate in

recreational activities.

• Readmissions: Poor pain management can contribute to higher rates of hospital

readmissions. Inadequate pain control during the initial postoperative period can lead to

complications, delayed recovery, and the need for additional medical interventions. This,

in turn, can increase the likelihood of patients being readmitted to the hospital, adding to

the burden on both the patients and the healthcare system.

By addressing inadequate pain management in postoperative patients, it is possible to improve

patient outcomes, enhance community well-being, reduce healthcare costs, enhance quality of

life, and potentially lower readmission rates.

References:

Institute of Medicine . Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention,

Care, Education, and Research. Washington: National Academies Press; 2017.

Gan TJ, Habib AS, Miller TE, White W, Apfelbaum JL. Incidence, patient satisfaction, and

perceptions of post-surgical pain: results from a US national survey. Curr Med Res Opin.

2018;30(1):149–160.