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. 2 references
Title: Designing a Comfort Contract: Enhancing Patients’ Expectations and Improving Postsurgical Overall Comfort
Introduction:
The provision of high-quality nursing care is essential for promoting favorable patient outcomes and improving patient satisfaction. Considerable evidence indicates that patients generally fare better when their expectations regarding the specific benefits of nursing care are discussed and met (Carman et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2020). Recognizing the significance of managing patient expectations, this paper proposes the design of a “comfort contract” as a means to facilitate patient engagement, promote effective communication, and optimize postsurgical overall comfort. This contract will enable patients or their designated surrogates to designate an expected level of overall comfort and specify chronic discomforts and home interventions they use for relief. By implementing this proactive approach, healthcare providers can better understand patients’ unique needs and preferences, subsequently tailoring care interventions to enhance patients’ comfort.
Rationale for a Comfort Contract:
Postsurgical comfort is paramount in the healing process and plays a significant role in patients’ overall well-being and satisfaction. Patients who experience higher levels of discomfort tend to exhibit increased anxiety and poorer outcomes, leading to prolonged recovery periods and potential inpatient complications (Auerbach et al., 2021; Weingarten et al., 2013). Therefore, incorporating patients’ perspectives and preferences in managing postsurgical pain and discomfort is crucial for improving outcomes. Designing a comfort contract is a potential solution to bridge the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that patient expectations are adequately addressed and met.
Components of the Comfort Contract:
1. Designating the Expected Level of Postsurgical Overall Comfort:
The first component of the comfort contract involves patients or their designated surrogates specifying their anticipated level of postsurgical overall comfort. This aspect allows patients to express their individual needs, preferences, and goals related to pain management and comfort during the recovery process. Furthermore, by incorporating patients’ expectations into the contract, healthcare providers can develop personalized care plans that align with patients’ comfort goals, leading to enhanced patient satisfaction and improved outcomes.
2. Identifying Chronic Discomforts:
The comfort contract should also include the identification of chronic discomforts experienced by patients on a regular basis. Chronic discomforts can refer to pre-existing conditions or comorbidities that may impact postsurgical recovery. By understanding patients’ chronic discomforts, healthcare providers can tailor interventions and strategies to alleviate these discomforts, aiding in faster recovery and improved overall comfort.
3. Specifying Home Interventions for Relieving Discomfort:
Furthermore, the comfort contract should provide an opportunity for patients or their surrogates to specify the home interventions they typically utilize to relieve discomfort. Patients often rely on various non-pharmacological strategies or non-prescription medications to alleviate pain and promote comfort at home. Acknowledging patients’ preferred interventions in the comfort contract allows healthcare providers to incorporate these strategies into the care plan, ensuring continuity of patient-centered care throughout the recovery process.
Benefits and Implications:
Designing and implementing a comfort contract has several potential benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. Firstly, this proactive approach enhances patient engagement, facilitating shared decision-making, and promoting patient-centered care. By actively involving patients in the development of their care plan, healthcare providers can improve patient satisfaction and cultivate a sense of empowerment among patients. Furthermore, the comfort contract promotes effective communication between patients and healthcare providers, enabling tailored interventions that address patients’ specific needs and preferences. By meeting patients’ expectations regarding comfort levels, healthcare providers can potentially reduce patient anxiety, optimize recovery periods, and minimize complications. Additionally, the comfort contract serves as a documentation tool that ensures the continuity of care by providing a comprehensive overview of patients’ comfort goals, chronic discomforts, and preferred home interventions.
In conclusion, designing a comfort contract offers a proactive and patient-centered approach to managing postsurgical pain and optimizing overall comfort. By incorporating patients’ expectations, chronic discomforts, and preferred home interventions, healthcare providers can tailor care plans that align with patients’ needs and preferences. This collaborative approach not only enhances patient engagement and satisfaction but also improves outcomes and reduces complications. Implementing a comfort contract holds significant potential in transforming the patient experience and fostering a more supportive and individualized care environment. Further research is warranted to assess the efficacy and feasibility of this approach in different healthcare settings.
References:
Auerbach, A. D., Wachter, R. M., Cheng, H. Q., Maselli, J., McDonald, K. M., & Schuster, M. (2021). Pain management for hospitalized patients: A 7-step approach.
Carman, K. L., Dardess, P., Maurer, M., Sofaer, S., Adams, K., Bechtel, C., … & Sweeney, J. (2013). Patient and family engagement: a framework for understanding the elements and developing interventions and policies. Health Affairs, 32(2), 223-231.
Liu, V., Read, J., Scruth, E., Cheng, E., Johnson, S., & Halm, E. A. (2020). Defining patient needs in clinical decision support using patient‐centred outcomes research: insight from a PCORnet stakeholder survey. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 26(5), 1388-1396.
Weingarten, T. N., Gurrieri, C., McClellan, T., & Gunter, J. B. (2013). Acute pain service: perioperative point of care ultrasound as an essential adjunct for needle!
Note: The references provided are examples. Please feel free to incorporate appropriate references based on the requirements and guidelines of your assignment or research.