Expectations about 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.

Full Answer Section

Patient Comfort Goals The patient's comfort goals are as follows:
  • The patient wants to be as comfortable as possible after surgery.
  • The patient wants to be able to sleep through the night without pain.
  • The patient wants to be able to get out of bed and walk around without pain.
  • The patient wants to be able to eat and drink without pain.
  • The patient wants to be able to participate in their usual activities as soon as possible after surgery.
Chronic Discomforts and Interventions The patient has the following chronic discomforts:
  • [List of chronic discomforts]
The patient uses the following interventions to relieve their chronic discomforts:
  • [List of interventions]
Surgeon's Agreement The surgeon agrees to provide care that meets or exceeds the patient's comfort goals. The surgeon will use all available resources to ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible after surgery. Patient's Signature [Patient Signature] Date [Date] Surgeon's Signature [Surgeon Signature] Date [Date] Notes
  • This contract is not a guarantee of a pain-free recovery. However, it does provide a framework for communication between the patient and the surgeon about the patient's comfort goals.
  • The patient should feel free to update their comfort goals at any time.
  • The surgeon should be aware of the patient's chronic discomforts and interventions so that they can be used to supplement pain management after surgery.
Additional Information
  • The patient's comfort goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
  • The patient should be involved in the development of their comfort goals.
  • The surgeon should discuss the patient's comfort goals with the patient's care team so that everyone is on the same page.
  • The patient's comfort goals should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.
Benefits of a Comfort Contract
  • A comfort contract can help to ensure that the patient's comfort needs are met.
  • A comfort contract can help to improve communication between the patient and the surgeon.
  • A comfort contract can help to reduce the patient's anxiety about surgery.
  • A comfort contract can help to improve the patient's overall satisfaction with their care.

Sample Answer

Comfort Contract This contract is between [Patient Name] and [Surgeon Name] to discuss the patient's expected level of post-surgical comfort. The patient or their surrogate will designate their comfort goals, and the surgeon will agree to provide care that meets or exceeds those goals.