Vega-Stromberg Therese, Holmes Sue Baird, Gorski Lisa A, Johnson Beth P
Oncology, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
J Nurs Care Qual. 2002 Oct;17(1):15-26. doi: 10.1097/00001786-200210000-00003.
Effective pain management is a critical patient care goal mandated by numerous health care organizations. There remains great opportunity to improve pain management across all sites of care. This article describes an interdisciplinary model for process improvement within an integrated health care system. An outcome-based approach to pain management resulted in the development of four key clinical indicators that are measured across sites, including acute care, long-term, ambulatory, and home care. Early outcome data are presented. Strategies for improving pain management focus on visibility, staff accountability, patient rights, and education.
