Congruence of pain assessment between nurses and emergency department patients: A replication

Abstract 

Aim

To ascertain congruence between patients’ self-report of pain intensity and nurses’ assessment of their pain intensity.

Methods

This study adopted a replication methodology which aimed to ascertain congruence between patients’ self-report of pain intensity and nurses’ assessment of their pain intensity. Raw statistical data was analysed using SPSS for windows.

Results

This study supports the findings of the original US study that emergency nurses frequently underestimate patients’ pain intensity. However, this study also found incidents where nurses accurately assessed their patients’ pain intensity, and incidences of overestimation.

Conclusions

This study illustrates underestimation of patients’ pain intensity by emergency nurses which is both clinically and statistically significant.

Relevance to clinical practice

Implications for nursing practice include a need for assessment of patients’ pain intensity, the development of pain management protocols, and increased emphasis on education in both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula. Also there needs to be continued clinical audit of pain management standards.

Keywords: Pain assessment, Clinical significance, Emergency department