Experience of Intensive Care Nurses in Assessment of Postoperative Pain in Patients with Hip Fracture and Dementia

INTRODUCTION: Patients with hip fracture are one of the most demanding groups in the health-care system. One of the most important tasks for nurses is to assess pain and ensure the patients are pain free. Pain assessment in patients with dementia is a well-known challenge for health-care professionals due to the patients’ difficulties in verbalising pain problems. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of intensive care nurses in assessment of pain in patients with hip fracture and dementia in the postoperative setting. METHODS: Data were collected through five focus group discussions using open-ended questions and qualitative content analysis. Twenty-one intensive care nurses (6 men and 15 women) participated in the focus group interviews. RESULTS: Analysis of the data resulted in three main categories: “Communication”, “Visual assessment of pain”, and “Practical issues” including a number of subcategories. Some of the factors which influence assessment of pain in patients with dementia are the lack of information and knowledge about the patients, which causes loss of time and increased stress. The different forms of communication and ways of assessing pain in these patients were other factors mentioned by nurses as hindrances regarding assessment of the pain. CONCLUSION: In order to improve assessment of pain, more knowledge and information about the patients are needed and better coordination between the pre- and postoperative departments regarding these patients. In this context, different intervention studies on patient’s hip fracture and dementia are needed to increase knowledge and awareness regarding this group of patients.