The role of nurses in ensuring the quality of care for patients with postoperative pain

Introduction
Postoperative pain is a common complication after surgery, strongly influencing patient comfort, recovery, and quality of life. Effective pain management requires a multidisciplinary approach, with nurses playing a key role in ensuring the quality of care. The aim of the study was to assessment of the role of nurses in ensuring the quality of care for patients with postoperative pain.

Material and methods
The study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology with the Spinal Surgery Subdivision in Kraków. It included 81 patients aged 18-82 years. Data were collected using a proprietary questionnaire and the Scale of Clinical Indicators of Quality of Postoperative Pain Management (SKWJPzBP).

Results
The most severe pain occurred on the day of surgery (69.14%) and the first postoperative day (30.86%). On the numeric rating scale (NRS), pain at level 7 (20.99%) and 8 (18.52%) was most frequent. Almost all patients (98.83%) were asked about pain complaints, mainly by nurses (91.36%), and 97.53% received analgesics. The mean SKWJPzBP score was 59.33 points. Patients rated lowest the information received about pain management (4.21) and highest the nurses’ knowledge (4.72). Significant correlations were found in the environment subscale with gender and place of residence (p < 0.05), and in the performance subscale with age (p = 0.0371) and professional activity (p = 0.0319). Trust depended on professional activity (p = 0.0291). General satisfaction was related to age (p = 0.0498) and professional activity (p = 0.0034). Adverse effects significantly reduced satisfaction (p = 0.0213).

Conclusions
The negative assessment from the majority of patients points to the need for improvement of the quality of care through more effective pain management strategies and treatment individualisation. Socio-demographic factors justify personalisation of care. The type of surgical procedure or applied anaesthesia method do not affect the assessment of the quality of care, while adverse effects require a comprehensive approach to pain management.