Comparison of VAS scores recorded by nurse vs surgeon: A case-control study

Abstract

Aim: VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) is a scale that is frequently used, easily understood and applied especially in the assessment of postoperative pain. Many parameters are performed mainly by the nurses in the follow-up of the patient in the post-operative period, and follow-up of the pain from the major complaints is also performed by the nurses. The purpose of the study is to exhibit whether the identity of the questioner, i.e., the nurse in charge or surgeon in charge, causes a change in the VAS scale in questioning VAS pain scoring.

Methods: 120 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included the study and the postoperative pain scores of the patients were evaluated with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) at 1st, 6th and 24th hours. The pain questioning was first performed by the nurse in charge and also 15 minutes later by the physician in charge. No analgesic administration was performed to the patients between the two questioners. The difference between the pain scores was assessed statistically whether it had changed with the identity of the questioners.

Results: It was detected that VAS 1, VAS 6 and VAS 24 score averages were significantly different according to physicians and nurses (p<0.05). VAS average of the nurse in the 1st hour was 2.39±1.42 and VAS average of the physician was 1.19±0.79, VAS average of the nurse in the 6th hour was 2.15±1.73 and VAS average of the physician was 1.35± 1.25, VAS average of the nurse in the 24th hour was 1.23±0.96 and VAS average of the physician was 0.68±0.75. For each VAS score; it was detected that VAS scores given by the nurses were significantly higher than the VAS score averages given by the physician (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We think that the identity of the questioner is also influential on the pain score expressed by the patient in the assessment of the postoperative pain made by using the VAS pain score, who questions the pain in the pain palliation made by using this scale should also be evaluated.