Managing patients’ pain in the intensive care units

Objectives: To assess nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain management in intensive care units (ICUs) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was carried out at 5 governmental hospitals in the Al-Qassim region (namely, Buraydah Centeral Hospital, King Fahad Spcialist Hospital, Al Rass General Hospital, Bukariyah General Hospital, and Al Badaya General Hospital) using purposive sampling to collect data between May 2020 and July 2020. Nurses’ awareness of pain management was assessed using the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP). Statistical Pacaksge for the Social Sciences software was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were employed. The Spearman’s correlation test was carried out to determine correlations.

Results: The mean score for ICUs nurses’ pain management awareness was 22.59, suggesting knowledge and behaviors deficits toward pain management. Positive correlations were found between nurses’ age, total years of clinical nursing experience, and their total score on pain management awareness. Nurses’ gender, religion, education, and years of experience as ICU nurses showed no association with their scores on NKASRP.

Conclusion: Insufficient pain management knowledge and unacceptable attitudes were established among nurses owing to several barriers and obstacles. Pain assessment and management educational programs should be held regularly for all nurses in the Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, especially ICU nurses.