ABSTRACT

Background: Pain is a severe problem that inhibits patients' daily functioning and is under-treated for various reasons. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that “opioids were involved in approximately 70% (46,802) of drug overdose deaths during 2018," with a majority of the population first introduced to opioids for pain treatment. Nurses need to consider non-pharmacological interventions to help manage pain. Many non-pharmacological methods vary, including aromatherapy, mindfulness/deep breathing, and exercise/repositioning. These techniques are proven to reduce pain and are within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses must be knowledgeable on non-pharmacological interventions to provide exceptional care to patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this evidence-based presentation is to increase nurses' knowledge on pain and the benefits of using non-pharmacological interventions to manage pain in the progressive care unit (PCU).

Methods: A pre- and post-intervention survey assesses nurses' knowledge and attitudes about non-pharmacological interventions and pain management. A poster presentation is used in educating nurses about the importance of implementing aromatherapy, relaxation mindfulness/deep breathing, and exercise/repositioning into clinical care.

Results: The primary outcome is an increase in nurses' knowledge of non-pharmacological pain interventions. The secondary outcome is an increase in nursing compliance using non-pharmacological interventions resulting in an overall decrease in pain using non-pharmacological interventions.

Conclusion: Research has shown that educating nurses regarding alternative pain management can efficiently manage pain, is a safer alternative than narcotics, decreases hospital stay, is cost-effective, and easy to implement.

Key Words: pain management, barriers to pain management, aromatherapy, non-pharmacological management, nursing, mindfulness