Nurse-led Pain Management in Adult ICU

Overview

This project is about implementing a pain scale, the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT), in ICU settings at King Abdullah Medical City to evaluate its impact on nurse pain assessment and management. Pain is considered as a significant problem in ICU and the literature shows that 50% of patients in ICU suffer moderate to severe pain and up to 70% of patients experience undetected pain while in ICU. The CPOT is an evidence-based intervention to assess pain among non-verbal patients in ICU settings. A stepped-Wedge Randomised trial will be used to implement the CPOT in 8 ICU in King Abduullah Medical City. Patient chart audits and a survey of ICU nurses will be conducted post implementation.

This project is about implementing a pain scale, Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT), in 8 adult ICUs in King Abdullah Medical City to evaluate the impact on nurse pain assessment and management. The literature shows that pain is perceived to be one of the most concerning issues in ICU and that 50% of patients in the ICU suffer moderate to severe pain. In addition, 70% of patients have undetected pain while admitted to ICU. Evidence-based guidelines suggest that CPOT is the most reliable and efficient pain scale tool for non-verbal patients in ICUs, and it is recommended in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The literature suggests that CPOT has a positive impact on frequency of pain assessment. A Stepped-Wedge Randomised trial will be used to implement the CPOT and at the same time assess the effectiveness of CPOT on pain assessment frequency and management. Patient charts will be audited, and a survey of nurses will be undertaken post CPOT implementation to assess the CPOT acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility.