Implementing best practice pain management in a pediatric hospital.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a comprehensive program to improve pain management practices in a pediatric hospital.


METHODS
The pretest posttest design used questionnaires, patient record audits, and postimplementation focus groups with 366 nurses and 8 physicians.


RESULTS
Positive changes occurred in the use of pain scales and in valuing good pain management. The program was less effective in improving procedural pain management and pain documentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Important program strengths were the "local champions" (Pain Resource Nurses) and the ongoing support and expertise of the pain committee. Systematic evaluation was important to document successes as well as areas requiring further focus.
Ellis
Jacqueline A
JA
School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON. jellis@uottawa.ca
McCleary
Lynn
L
Blouin
Renee
R
Dube
Karen
K
Rowley
Betty
B
MacNeil
Mary
M
Cooke
Carol
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009737:Nursing Records / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009864:Ontario; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration