Work

Evolution of Management of Postoperative Pain in Spain: A Nationwide Survey of Organizational Structure and Clinical Practice

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hospitals require standardized processes to effectively manage patients with acute postoperative pain. We aim to evaluate the current pain management practices in Spain through a cross-sectional study, updating the findings from a previous audit conducted in 2012. METHODS: An online questionnaire was mailed to anesthesiologists in Spain. Responses were stratified based on the hospital size (< 200 or ≥ 200 beds). Categorical variables were presented as percentages with a 95% confidence interval, while continuous variables were expressed as median and interquartile range. RESULTS: The survey received responses from 67.9% (n = 127) of hospitals with ≥ 200 beds. 70.1% of large hospitals had an acute pain service (APS) and a hospital-wide acute pain management program (APMP). Concerning large hospitals, full-time pain physicians were available in 30.3% of large hospitals, and 41.6% had full-time nurses dedicated to pain management; 40.2% of patients received written information about postoperative pain; 89.0% of participants reported that their hospital used a standardized scale for assessing postoperative pain; 79.5% had pain treatment protocols; professional training in postoperative pain was organized in 46.6% of cases; and 51.2% considered that the acute postoperative pain was well managed in their hospital. CONCLUSION: Twelve years later, our study shows (in hospitals ≥ 200 beds), there has been an increase in the percentage of centers with APS or APMP, the proportion of nurses with full-time dedication, and the assessment and documentation of pain. However, the implementation of protocols, pain management training, and the analysis of pain-related indicators have worsened. Improvements are necessary to implement standardized acute postoperative pain management.

Source: Pain Research and Management

DOI: 10.1155/prm/5391303