Vulnerability in the perioperative patient: a concept analysis

Vulnerability: A concept synthesis and its application to the Emergency Department

AIM

The aim of this concept synthesis was to add clarity to the concept of vulnerability with application to the Emergency Department (ED) by critiquing, analysing and amalgamating published concept analyses.

BACKGROUND

The concept of vulnerability has been used widely, however it has various meanings. A clearer understanding of vulnerability and application to the ED may help healthcare professionals provide high quality care responsive to the needs of vulnerable individuals.

METHOD

Nine concept analyses of vulnerability were retrieved using Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases. After extracting data on each analysis, Walker and Avant's concept synthesis method was used to structure this synthesis, with a thematic synthesis approach used in the analysis.

FINDINGS

Four themes associated with vulnerability emerged from the synthesis. The first theme, vulnerability as a journey, reflected elements within an individual's life that perpetuate and exacerbate vulnerability. The second theme, vulnerability as susceptibility and risk, highlighted intrinsic and extrinsic elements that contribute to a state of risk. The third theme, positive and negative repercussions, emphasised lessons that can be learned from experience, with the fourth theme of a shared understanding indicating the importance of understanding the concept of vulnerability for patient care.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this synthesis highlight the multiple elements associated with a vulnerable state, evident in the context of the ED. With multiple ED-specific elements contributing to vulnerability, clarity of the term is important to inform ED-specific interventions designed to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.

The Brief Measure of Emotional Preoperative Stress (B-MEPS) as a new predictive tool for postoperative pain: A prospective observational cohort study

Background

Preoperative patients’ vulnerabilities such as physical, social, and psychological are implicated in postoperative pain variability. Nevertheless, it is a challenge to analyze a patient's psychological profile in the preoperative period in a practical and consistent way. Thus, we sought to identify if high preoperative emotional stress, evaluated by the Brief Measure of Emotional Preoperative Stress (B-MEPS) scale is associated with higher postoperative pain levels and poor rehabilitation in patients submitted to intermediate or major surgery. Moreover, the possible neurobiological or neurophysiological mechanisms implicated in high preoperative emotional stress, evaluated through preoperative quantitative sensory pain tests and serum biomarkers BDNF and S100B were investigated.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational, cohort study of ASA 2 and 3 adult patients undergoing major urologic, gynecologic, proctologic and orthopedic surgeries from March 2017 to March 2018. B-MEPS and Central Sensitivity Inventory were evaluated preoperatively, followed by a sequence of experimental pain tests and serum biomarkers collection. Postoperative evaluation carried out within the first 48 hours after surgery comprehended pain at rest and movement-evoked pain, and the consumption of morphine. Quality-of-Recovery was also evaluated in the 3rd postoperative day.

Results

23 (15%) out of 150 patients included in the study presented high emotional preoperative stress. Variables significantly related to preoperative stress were: previous psychiatric diagnosis and Central Sensitization Inventory result. Mean movement-evoked pain in the first 12 to 48 hours was 95–105% higher than pain at rest. A mixed model for repeated measures showed a sustainable effect of B-MEPS as a movement-evoked pain predictor. Previous pain, cancer surgery, and preoperative pressure pain tolerance were also independent predictors of postoperative pain. Moderate to severe postoperative movement-evoked pain was predictive of poor rehabilitation in 48 hours after surgery.

Conclusion

We confirmed that a brief screening method of preoperative emotional states could detect individuals prone to experience severe postoperative pain. Specific interventions considering the stress level may be planned in the future to improve perioperative outcomes.

Vulnerability in perioperative patients: a qualitative study

The study aimed to explore perioperative practitioners' knowledge, awareness and experiences of perioperative vulnerability in clinical practice. A qualitative descriptive design was used; data was obtained by conducting semi-structured interviews with ten perioperative practitioners over a two week period in July 2014. The study found that perioperative practitioners were aware of the concept of perioperative vulnerability and had varied experience of it in practice. Data analysis identified three main themes in relation to vulnerability: labels, recognition and management. We conclude that the concept of perioperative vulnerability exists in practice and that perioperative practitioners manage the concept effectively using strategies that promote positive outcomes.

Awake and unable to move: what can perioperative practitioners do to avoid accidental awareness under general anaesthesia?

I thought the last thing I would remember about my surgery was counting up to 10 ... but that didn't happen... I could hear people talking, instruments banging, the sound of my heart beat coming from the anaesthetic machine and all of a sudden, that horrible pain digging inside my body. Oh my God! I thought. I'm awake! I tried to tell someone but no sound came out of my mouth. I tried to kick my legs, shake my arms, blink, breathe... Nothing!! I couldn't move a muscle. I was paralysed and awake during my operation... I thought I was going to die!!!