Pain assessment in critical patients using the Behavioral Pain Scale

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sensation of pain is essential for life, and its assessment in critical non-contacting patients can be performed using validated scales. The Behavioral Pain Scale is a highly accurate tool that has been widely used in this group of patients. This study aimed to describe and characterize pain and the use of analgesia in the emergency or intensive care service. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach with 67 critically ill patients unable to verbalize their pain perception, who were hospitalized in the emergency service or Intensive Care Units of a public hospital in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia from April to July 2017. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected using the medical record and then applied to the Behavioral Pain Scale for pain assessment. RESULTS: There was a predominance of male patients (47/70.1%). Three groups were identified based on the use of sedatives and analgesics: patients taking sedatives and analgesics combined, only analgesia, and those without any sedation or analgesia. We observed ascending Behavioral Pain Scale scores in all groups during tracheal suction, but the same did not occur with the physiological parameters. CONCLUSION: The study proposes the adoption of pain assessment scales in critical patients, such as the Behavioral Pain Scale, as well as the use of protocols for analgesia management, and consequently improve the quality of care and patient's recovery