Pain scale: implementation for patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery

A clinical intervention study was developed in a hospital specialized in cardiology in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the implementation of the pain scale in post-operative cardiac surgery patients. It was developed in four steps: pre-test on pain, training lecture for nursing staff, and, reapplication of the pre-test at 30 and 60 days. The test consisted of ten questions weighing one point each. Scores >= 7 were determined to represent satisfactory knowledge in using the pain scale. The sample consisted of 57 nursing professionals. The scores ranged from 6.12 +/- 1.65 in the pre-test to 7.73 +/- 1.05 and 8.18 +/- 0.99 after 30 and 60 days, respectively ( p < 0.005). Pain intensity was correlated to medication standardized by protocol. The training improved the knowledge of the team and the type of analgesia administered in relation to pain intensity.