Postsurgical comfort

Evidence suggests that patients do better when their expectations about specific benefits of nursing care are discussed and met.  Design a “comfort contract” whereby patients or their surrogates designate an expected level of postsurgical overall comfort, and also where they can specify chronic discomforts and interventions that they use at home for relief.  APA

Designing a “comfort contract” can be an effective way to ensure that patients’ expectations for postsurgical comfort are met and that they have a plan in place for managing chronic discomforts at home. Here is an example of how such a contract could be designed:

1. Start by explaining the purpose of the comfort contract to the patient or their surrogate. Let them know that the contract is designed to help ensure that their needs for comfort and pain relief are met, both during their hospital stay and at home after discharge.
2. Ask the patient or their surrogate to designate an expected level of postsurgical overall comfort, using a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most comfortable). This will help establish a baseline for the patient’s expectations and guide their care.
3. Next, ask the patient or their surrogate to specify any chronic discomforts they experience, such as back pain or headaches, and the interventions they use at home for relief. This will help ensure that the patient’s ongoing needs for comfort are addressed as well.
4. Discuss with the patient or their surrogate the various interventions that are available for managing discomfort and pain, both in the hospital and at home. This may include medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as well as non-pharmacological interventions, such as massage or relaxation techniques.
5. Once the patient or their surrogate has identified their preferences for managing discomfort and pain, document these interventions in the comfort contract. This may include specifying the type and dosage of medications, as well as any non-pharmacological interventions that the patient prefers.
6. Finally, review the comfort contract with the patient or their surrogate, making sure that they understand the plan for managing discomfort and pain both during their hospital stay and at home after discharge. Encourage them to ask questions or voice any concerns they may have.

By creating a comfort contract with patients or their surrogates, healthcare providers can help ensure that patients’ expectations for comfort and pain relief are met, and that they have a plan in place for managing ongoing discomforts at home. This can ultimately lead to better outcomes and a more positive patient experience.