| Learning Objective #1: Identify pain management strategies most commonly used in U.S. hospitals | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe changes in pain management strategies since the implementation of 2001 JCAHCO accreditation standards |
Even though effective pain management is a basic and essential component of good nursing care, pain tends to be minimally assessed, underreported, and undertreated in many health care environments. Recognizing pain as a major and largely avoidable public health problem, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) implemented new pain management standards in January, 2001.
In this study, we used a web-based survey to document the impact of the new JCAHO pain management standards on pain management care in hospitals across the United States. A descriptive correlational study was conducted using a stratified random sample of members of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN). The invitation to participate was emailed to ASPMN members in 50 U.S. states. Sixty-nine nurses from 36 states responded. The number of interventions and scope of pain management programs increased significantly after implementation of the new JCAHO standards. For example, there was a 43% increase in the implementation of new or revised institution-specific pain management standards, a 17% increase in the number of institutions with pain management teams, and an 11% increase in the conduct of clinical research projects addressing pain. Changes were associated with the time of accreditation visits and the type of accreditation ratings received (e.g. Regular Accreditation vs. Accreditation with Commendation). The most common challenges identified in association with attempts to improve pain management were: institutional bureaucracy, physician knowledge deficits, physician resistance, and time/labor intensity. While the new standards have prompted increased attention to pain management, considerable opportunities remain for improving pain management knowledge, interdisciplinary collaboration, and other interventions to alleviate pain in U.S. institutions, as well as around the world.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003