The Role of the Perioperative Nurse in Improving Surgical Patients’ Clinical Outcomes and Satisfaction: Beyond Medication

For the perioperative nurse, the management of postsurgical pain includes various responsibilities, such as performing postsurgical pain assessments as an essential first step, facilitating recovery from surgery, and maximizing patient satisfaction during the postsurgical period. In addition, nurses are responsible for providing patient education regarding pain management, the quality of which may strongly influence patient satisfaction. External and internal challenges exist in perioperative care processes, however, and addressing these challenges will promote the overall goal of providing high-quality care.