Outcome Indicators for Evaluating Interventions by Advanced Practice Nurses Specialising in Acute Pain : A Scoping Review
Barroso-Castaño, Patricia (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Cabrera Jaime, Sandra (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina)
Feijoo Cid, Maria (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Huertas-Zurriaga, Ariadna (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Benito Aracil, Llúcia (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) Hospitalet (Barcelona))

Date:	2025
Abstract:	To identify outcome indicators to evaluate interventions delivered by advanced practice nurses specialising in acute pain as reported in the scientific literature. Scoping review. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL) were systematically searched in December 2023 to identify studies published between 1996 and 2023. Search results were managed through the Rayyan platform. Two review authors independently performed data selection and extraction, and a third reviewer resolved conflicts. The search identified 1263 studies. After screening titles and abstracts, 14 full-text studies were selected for data extraction and analysis. These studies encompassed a variety of designs, including randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and observational studies. The outcome indicators used to evaluate advanced practice nurses' interventions in acute pain management were examined across three key dimensions: study population and setting, intervention and model of acute pain nurse care and quality-of-care assessment. The specific outcome indicators identified included 'pain score', 'side effects', 'analgesia prescription', 'non-pharmacological interventions', 'nurses' pain management knowledge', 'patient/parent education' and 'APN contact'. This review underscores the growing and evolving role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in acute pain management, highlighting the diversity of care models and interventions implemented across clinical settings. Key outcome indicators, such as 'pain score', 'side effects' and 'nursing staff's understanding of pain management', were identified, with certain indicators, like 'APN contact' and 'non-pharmacological interventions', more closely linked to the nurse-led approach. This scoping review underscores the importance of developing and evaluating outcome indicators to enhance the assessment of interventions provided by advanced practice nurses in acute pain management. While consensus on specific indicators has not yet been reached, this review highlights the need for further research to refine and standardise these indicators, thereby contributing to more uniform and comparative evaluations of care. The identified outcome indicators can inform the evaluation of APN interventions in acute pain management, supporting efforts to optimise and standardise care. Further implementation and assessment of these indicators will be essential to enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care. The PRISMA extension for Scoping Review guidelines was used. No patient or public contribution.
Grants:	Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2021/SGR-00929
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	Nursing Open, Vol. 12 (april 2025) , ISSN 2054-1058

DOI: 10.1002/nop2.70201
PMID: 40247644

25 p, 546.7 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles