Using quality improvement methodology to improve neuropathic pain screening and assessment in patients with cancer.
BACKGROUND
Quality improvement methodology was used to improve neuropathic pain (NP) screening at a comprehensive cancer center.


METHODS
Nurses participated in educational sessions about screening and assessment. Clinical systems to facilitate documentation of NP severity scores were developed.


RESULTS
Pretest and posttest score results demonstrated nurse acquisition of new knowledge. A 90% NP screening adherence rate was achieved (N = 3831). Patients with no reported general pain (n = 291) were found to have moderate to severe NP.


CONCLUSIONS
Keys to success are (1) health care professional education and periodic reinforcement of learning and (2) system infrastructure changes.
Department Hematology/Oncology, One Medical Center Drive, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center/Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. Ellen.L.Smith@Hitchcock.org
Ellen M
EM
Lavoie Smith
Marie A
MA
Bakitas
Peter
P
Homel
Camilo
C
Fadul
Louise
L
Meyer
Karen
K
Skalla
Marilyn
M
Bookbinder
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult