Validation of Surgical Post Operative Pain Assessment Tool (SPAT) in Measuring Pain in Comparison with Numerical and Wong Baker Pain Tools

Grim, John F.

Saturday, 29 October 2011

John F. Grim, MS, RN, CNS-BC, RRT¹
Julie Isham, RN, AD¹
Michele Marshall, MS, RN, CNS, NE-BC, CPHQ²
Rosalee Montes, MSN, RN¹
Barb Standifer, BSN, MHA, NEA-BC, RN¹
Jonathon Blakley, BSN, RN³
April McColl, BSN, RN³
(1)Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, OH
(2)Quality/Research, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, OH
(3)5300 - Surgical, Good Samaritian Hospital, Dayton, OH

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to describe how the Surgical Pain Assessment Tool (SPAT) assists the nurse with pain intervention for the post-operative patient.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able describe age related patient preference regarding pain assessment tools in the post operative patient.

Problem: Post-operative pain is a common occurrence and continues to be inadequately managed for many patients. When this pain is not controlled, complications can develop(i.e. pneumonia, ileus or deep vein thrombosis) which may contribute to increased length of stay/cost of care, readmission, and lost wages to the patient. Facilitating communication and utilizing a consistent pain measure will assist the team when providing intervention.

Brief Review of the Literature: Wong-Baker and numerical scales have been identified in the literature as the pain tools most commonly used with post-operative patients. There are no recommended tools found in the literature to help the nurse determine when to medicate the post-op patient for pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to validate a researcher-developed instrument to measure pain in post-operative patients, the Surgical Pain Assessment Tool (SPAT).

Methods: This is a prospective correlational design using the SPAT and two validated tools to address pain control in post-operative patients. The patient will be educated regarding the three pain scales, rate their current pain using each scale and then complete a three question survey. The three research questions posed: 1) What is the convergent validity of the SPAT with the Wong and Numerical scale? 2) Which pain scale is preferred by postoperative patients? 3) Does scale preference differ by age, gender or ethnicity?

Findings Outcomes: Analysis will consist of descriptive statistics for all demographic data, pain scale scores and survey responses. Question three will be answered through an ANOVA of demographics on tool preference.

Indications for Practice: The Surgical Pain Assessment Tool (SPAT) will assist in both better pain assessment and help the nurse determine when to medicate the patient to increase quality of care.

Proposed Target Audience: The proposed target of this presentation is nurses and physicians that address pain control in post-operative patients.

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