Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify and summarize the best available evidence for postoperative pain management in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients to inform clinical practice. METHODS: Using evidence-based nursing methodology, an evidence-based question on postoperative pain management in adult ICUs was formulated. A systematic literature search was conducted. The quality of included literature was appraised, and evidence was graded and extracted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) evidence-based healthcare center's literature quality appraisal criteria and evidence grading system. RESULTS: Eighteen publications were included, comprising 2 clinical decision tools, 4 guidelines, 5 evidence summaries, 4 systematic reviews, and 3 expert consensus documents. Through professional judgment, 35 best evidence recommendations were ultimately synthesized, covering six aspects: pain assessment tools, non-pharmacological pain management measures, pharmacological interventions, dynamic assessment, and quality improvement measures for pain management. CONCLUSION: This study summarizes the current best evidence for postoperative pain management in adult ICU patients. It can serve as an evidence-based reference for standardizing pain management practices among ICU healthcare professionals, helping to reduce the incidence of patient pain and related complications, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the quality of nursing care.