Specific benefits of nursing care
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.
Sample Solution
Comfort Contract
- Patient Name:
- Date:
- Surgeon:
- Nurse:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Other:
- Pain medication
- Antiemetics
- Laxatives
- Other:
- Provide me with pain medication as needed.
- Help me to manage my nausea and vomiting.
- Help me to stay regular.
- Provide me with other interventions as needed.
- Patient or Surrogate Signature:
- Date:
- Date:
- Be specific about your expectations. What does "comfortable" mean to you?
- Be realistic about your expectations. There will be some discomfort after surgery, but it should be manageable.
- Discuss your chronic discomforts and how you manage them at home. This will help your nurses and doctors to tailor their care to your individual needs.
- Be open to feedback. Your nurses and doctors may have suggestions for how to improve your comfort. Be willing to listen to their suggestions and try new things.