Introduction of a pain and symptom assessment tool in the clinical setting--lessons learned.
It has long been acknowledged that pain is a subjective, multifaceted phenomenon which is influenced by many factors such as past experience and culture. However there are other symptoms that can be distressing such as dyspnea and nausea. In Ottawa, Canada there was recognition that inconsistencies existed in pain and symptom assessment methods and documentation in the different institutions and agencies when patients with cancer moved from one setting to another as their illness progressed. Therefore, a working group with clinical representatives was formed with a mandate to develop a standardized tool so that there would be a common language for pain and symptom assessment. Although various tools have been developed for pain assessment such as visual analogue or numeric rating scales, there has been limited attention focused on the sustainability of these tools in the practice setting. This paper will focus on the importance of the use of tools for pain and symptom management, issues around implementing them, and sustaining their use in the clinical setting. The Ottawa Pain and Symptom Assessment Record will be used as an exemplar.
Bourbonnais
Frances Fothergill
FF
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Joint Appointment, University of Ottawa and SCO Health Service/Institute of Palliative Care, Ottawa, Canada. fbourbon@uottawa.ca
Perreault
Annie
A
Bouvette
Maryse
M
D015982:Bias; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education; D009864:Ontario; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010166:Palliative Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011367:Professional Staff Committees; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index