Effectiveness of Structured Nursing Interventions in Improving Pain Assessment and Management among hospitalized patients on the surgical ward at Byumba level two teaching hospital

Background Effective pain assessment and management are essential components of postoperative care, significantly influencing recovery, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. An internal audit conducted in January 2025 at Byumba Level Two Teaching Hospital revealed that only 78% of surgical ward patients received adequate pain management. In response, a Quality Improvement (QI) project was launched with the goal of increasing this rate to at least 95% by May 30, 2025. Methods This 4-month QI initiative (February 2025–May 2025) utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to implement targeted interventions. Key strategies included structured training for nurses on validated pain scales, standardized assessment tools during admission and ward rounds, and the introduction of a pain management flow sheet. Primary outcomes were the proportion of patients receiving adequate pain control (pain score ≤ 3 within 24 hours) and documented pain assessments. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction and staff knowledge, while process measures monitored protocol adherence, reassessment rates, and staff competence via training and pre-/post-tests. Interventions addressed key barriers, including limited leadership support, absence of staff feedback mechanisms, and cultural norms such as silent pain endurance. Results By May 30, 2025, patients receiving adequate pain management increased from 78–95%. Documented pain assessments rose from 62–94%, and those achieving effective pain control improved from 68–96%. Patient satisfaction scores increased from 4.1 to 4.88 (on a 5-point Likert scale). Run chart analysis showed sustained improvement aligned with each intervention phase. Conclusion Structured, evidence-based Quality Improvement interventions can significantly enhance pain management among hospitalized patients, even in rural, resource-limited settings. These results demonstrate that structured, evidence-based interventions can pain management, even in resource-constrained settings.