Abstract: Objective: To construct a transitional pain management plan for postoperative critically ill patients, provide a reference for improving pain management in postoperative critically ill patients during the transition from ICU to specialized ward. Methods: Literature analysis and Delphi method were used to determine the transitional ICU pain management plan for postoperative critically ill patients, and hierarchical analysis was used to calculate the index weights. Results: A total of 18 experts were consulted twice. The coordination coefficient of the two rounds of inquiry was 0.276-0.309 (P<0.05). The constructed transitional pain management plan for postoperative critically ill patients includes 3 primary indicators including structure, process and outcome, 9 secondary and 36 tertiary indicators. Conclusion: The pain management plan for the postoperative ICU of critically ill patients constructed in this study is scientific and operable, and meets the actual needs of critically ill patients after surgical transfer. This protocol helps to improve pain outcomes relative to routine ICU transition procedures in postoperative critically ill patients. This study may provide references and guidelines for ICU and specialty unit medical staff to better develop clinical pain management practices for critical ill patients.

Key words: critical care; ICU; transition; postoperative patients; pain management