Nonpharmacologic Pain Management for Patients in Ambulatory Extended Recovery After Minimally Invasive Gynecologic and Urologic Surgery

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of an evidence-based postoperation nonpharmacologic pain management bundle for patients recovering from minimally invasive gynecologic and urologic surgeries.

Participants & Setting: This study focused on patients recovering from minimally invasive gynecologic and urologic surgery at a comprehensive cancer center. The first cohort consisted of patients three months preimplementation (n = 96) and the second consisted of those three months postimplementation (n = 86).

Methodologic Approach: The project used a pre- and postintervention design and deployed the bundle as a nursing order. Nurses and patients were educated about the bundle and comprehensive postoperation pain management strategies.

Findings: Postimplementation, the documented use of nonpharmacologic pain management interventions significantly increased and postoperation opioid use significantly decreased without negatively affecting pain scores or lengths of stay.

Implications for Nursing: Nonpharmacologic pain interventions can decrease the need for postoperation opioids, and ordering a bundle of interventions alongside analgesia is an effective way patients can manage pain.