Sterman Ellen, Gauker Sandra, Krieger Julie
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, NJ, USA.
Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003 Sep-Oct;30(5):857-64. doi: 10.1188/03.ONF.857-864.
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To report on the development and outcomes of a comprehensive program to improve cancer pain management and patient satisfaction.
Published research and guidelines, review articles, and patients' personal experiences.
A comprehensive cancer pain management program includes performance improvement, patient satisfaction, nursing education, and pain management rounds. This approach to pain can result in effective pain management, patients' reports of acceptable levels of pain, and an increase in patient satisfaction.
Semiweekly pain management rounds provided the opportunity for nurses to practice equianalgesic dosing and make recommendations for changes in pain management. Effective pain management plans can lead to an increase in scores that measure patient satisfaction.
Nursing pain management education and subsequent use of pain management principles during and between pain management rounds can lead to effective pain management and satisfaction for patients with cancer. Research is needed to assess whether comprehensive programs can change pain management practices in other patient populations.
