Nursing Presence Enhancement Using the CALM Scale for Pain Assessment in Laboring Women

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Emily K. Marzbani (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Terry Wicks

Abstract: Background: Pain is associated with negative patient outcomes and dissatisfaction. The use of the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) has not improved patient outcomes in laboring women. The NRS fails to account for several factors that influence pain. Nursing presence is defined as being physically available, emotionally supportive, and advocating for the woman during childbirth. Nursing presence positively influences the pain experience of laboring women. The Coping Assessment in Laboring Moms (CALM) scale was created to address the multifaceted aspects of labor pain and promote nurse presence. Purpose: To implement a change in practice for assessing pain during labor in a labor and delivery unit in a southeastern U.S. Women’s Hospital. The project aims to identify the need for change in practice using the CALM scale. Methods: The CALM scale was implemented in the Labor and Delivery Unit after an educational intervention was presented. HCAHPS scores for nurse care were compared during the NRS scale use and during the use of the CALM scale. A survey given to nurses assessed their perceived nursing presence after using the CALM scale. Results: Although patient HCAHPS surveys did not identify a significant difference in nursing presence between the two pain assessments, nursing presence surveys administered to the labor and delivery nurses revealed 64.29% found the CALM scale enhanced nursing presence. Recommendations and Conclusion: Differences in the HCAHPS survey results were not significant. Future studies may consider another instrument to assess nursing presence or a longer period for data collection. The nurse survey results demonstrated evidence of increased nursing presence when the CALM scale was used supporting results from previous studies.

Nursing Presence Enhancement Using the CALM Scale for Pain Assessment in Laboring Women
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Created on 2/8/2023
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Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2022

Keywords

labor pain, nontraditional pain scale, CALM scale, nursing presence

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