title: The prevalence of uncontrolled pain in long-term care: a pilot study examining outcomes of pain management processes.
abstract: Pain in long-term care (LTC) is common among older residents despite the vast options available for optimal pain management. Inadequate pain management affects individual health care outcomes. Researcher evidence has shown that nurse practitioners (NPs) improve the quality of care in LTC but are challenged by multiple barriers that inhibit optimal pain control. The purpose of the current pilot study was to explore both the pain management processes used by nurses in LTC and the documented patient outcomes that come from these processes. In addition, factors were identified that may impact the NP role in providing adequate pain control in LTC. This descriptive study used a retrospective, case-controlled research design that incorporated reviewing 55 LTC resident medical records. Results show how the process of pain management in LTC can be improved by expanding the professional role of the NP.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: Cheryl K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Riley-Doucet
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies