Continuing education: a comprehensive approach to improving cancer pain management and patient satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the development and outcomes of a comprehensive program to improve cancer pain management and patient satisfaction.


METHODS
Published research and guidelines, review articles, and patients' personal experiences.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Sterman
Ellen
E
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, NJ, USA. eers619@aol.com
Gauker
Sandra
S
Krieger
Julie
J
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D015402:Nursing Education Research / Q000379:methods; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000379:methods; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000451:nursing*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods
D009294:Narcotics