Behavioral Pain Scale versus Critical Care Pain Observational Tool on Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Background: Critically ill patients frequently experience both procedural pain and pain at
rest. Untreated acute pain in adult ICU patients can lead to short- and long-term physiological and
psychological complications such as postoperative myocardial infarction, insufficient sleep and
posttraumatic stress disorder. Aim: This study was conducted to assess pain intensity for
mechanically ventilated patient through: Applying Critical care Pain Observational Tool for
mechanically ventilated patient, Applying Behavioral Pain Scale for mechanically ventilated patient
and Compare between critical care observational tool and behavioral pain scale. Method: This
study was conducted at surgical Intensive care Units at Ain Shams University Hospital. Research
Design: A comparative, descriptive study utilized for the conduction of this study. Sample: A
purposive sample of (80) patients in surgical intensive care unit at Ain Shams University Hospital.
Tools: 1) Patient assessment record 2) Critical care pain observational tool 3) Behavioral pain scale.
Results: The results of this study shows that, (62.5%) of them were males with mean age of
54±12.30 years old. 68.8% had mechanical ventilation for the first time While 73.8% of them were
on SIMV mode. Regarding internal consistency the critical care observational tool were more than
the behavioral pain scale. Regarding inter rater reliability the critical care observational tool was
(0.904). While the behavioral pain scale was (0.851). Regarding the inter rater reliability the critical
care observational tool was (0.632), while the behavioral pain scale was (0.515). A significant
positive correlation of pain score during procedure and 10 minutes after using both scales. at r.0.387
and 0.248. Conclusion: The current study concluded that, the Critical pain observation tool is more
accurate than Behavioral pain scale due to: Internal consistency "Cronbach alpha", Inter-rater
reliability "ICCs" and test-retest reliability "correlation coefficient" at critical pain observation
higher than observational pain scale Recommendations: Developing a simplified and
comprehensive booklet including guidelines about how to use and implement the behavioral pain
scale and critical care pain observational tool in intensive care units