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.
Ferrell
B
B
Department of Nursing Research and Education, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
Whedon
M
M
Rollins
B
B
D006801:Humans; D009731:Nursing Audit; D009737:Nursing Records; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011340:Problem Solving; D017749:Total Quality Management