Pain and quality assessment/improvement.

Pain is a common symptom of acute and chronic illness and has been targeted as an area of improvement across settings and populations. Advances in the treatment of pain have created a standard of care by which quality can be assessed. The article describes the process of quality assessment and improvement (QA/I) in pain management. QA/I tools and case examples from two institutions are provided. QA/I activities based on current knowledge of pain management can improve the care provided to patients in pain.