Comparing Pain Intensity of Two Instruments in Predicting the Outcomes of Patients Under Mechanical Ventilation Admitted to Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Pain assessment in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a main problem in mechanically ventilated patients (MVPs) as they are not able to self-report pain, hence exposing them to the risk of inadequate pain management that leads to unfavorable consequences. This research aimed to determine and compare pain intensity scores of two scales in predicting the hospitalization consequences of MVPs in ICUs. The analytical-longitudinal study was carried out in ICUs in 2020. Pain intensity was evaluated using observational pain scales in 60 patients who met inclusion criteria in three positions during suctioning once daily for 3 days. There were significant inverse correlations between the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and Critical Care Pain Observational Tool (CPOT) with the duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. No significant relationships were observed between total mean scores obtained from the scales and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. There were no significant correlations between BPS and CPOT with frequencies and total dose of the prescribed opioid drug. The use of BPS and CPOT can be used for pain assessment and control in MVPs as a positive step towards improving their consequences.