title: Use of a checklist to improve pain control in hospitalized cancer patients: the 38Checkpain project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Checklists may improve management of patients in different settings. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate the use of this tool to improve inpatient pain control. This study, conducted in Italy, aims to describe the experience, in terms of pain control, of the widespread introduction of a checklist for pain control in oncological patients, according to current Italian legislation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 92 Italian centers were randomly assigned to the use of the 38Checkpain to monitor pain management or to continue their standard practice without the use of this tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 38Checkpain improved the control of pain compared with centers who did not use this tool.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the application of the 38Checkpain may help improve control of pain of hospitalized oncological patients.
authors.affiliation: Patient Association 'Vivere Senza Dolore', Piazza EL Morselli 1, 20154 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentili
authors.affiliation: Direttore Dipartimento di Oncologia, 'Azienda Sanitaria Locale', Ospedale degli Infermi, Biella, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerico
authors.affiliation: Direttore Ufficio Cure Palliative e Terapia del dolore, Ministero della Salute, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spizzichino
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology & Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care & Pain Therapy, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fanelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057189:Checklist; D019468:Disease Management; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries
keywords: analgesia; checklist; monitoring; pain