Comfort Contract

Evidence suggests that patients do better when their expectations about specific benefits of nursing care are discussed and met. How can a nurse do a “comfort contract” whereby patients or their surrogates designate an expected level of postsurgical overall comfort, and also where they can specify chronic discomforts and interventions that they use at home for relief?

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A comfort contract is a written agreement between a patient and their nurse that outlines the patient’s expectations for comfort care. The contract can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs and preferences, and can include specific interventions that the patient would like to receive.

To create a comfort contract, the nurse should first assess the patient’s comfort needs. This includes asking the patient about their pain level, their level of anxiety, and any other discomforts they are experiencing. The nurse should also ask the patient about their expectations for comfort care. What level of comfort do they hope to achieve? What interventions have been helpful to them in the past?

Full Answer Section

Once the nurse has a good understanding of the patient’s comfort needs and expectations, they can begin to draft the contract. The contract should be clear and concise, and should include the following information:

  • The patient’s name and date of birth
  • The patient’s comfort needs and expectations
  • The interventions that the patient would like to receive
  • The frequency of the interventions
  • The patient’s signature and the nurse’s signature

The comfort contract should be reviewed and updated regularly, as the patient’s needs and preferences may change.

Here are some specific steps that a nurse can take to create a comfort contract:

  1. Meet with the patient and their family or caregiver. This is an opportunity to get to know the patient and their individual needs.
  2. Assess the patient’s comfort level. This includes asking about their pain, anxiety, and other discomforts.
  3. Discuss the patient’s expectations for comfort care. What level of comfort do they hope to achieve? What interventions have been helpful to them in the past?
  4. Draft the comfort contract. The contract should be clear and concise, and should include the information listed above.
  5. Have the patient and their family or caregiver sign the contract. This shows that they agree to the terms of the contract.
  6. Review and update the contract regularly. The patient’s needs and preferences may change, so it is important to review the contract regularly and make any necessary changes.

By creating a comfort contract, nurses can ensure that patients’ comfort needs are met and that they receive the care they need to recover from surgery.

Here are some additional tips for creating a comfort contract:

  • Use language that the patient can understand.
  • Be specific about the interventions that the patient would like to receive.
  • Be realistic about what can be achieved.
  • Be flexible and willing to make changes to the contract as needed.
  • Communicate the comfort contract to all members of the healthcare team.

By following these tips, nurses can create comfort contracts that are effective in meeting the needs of their patients.

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