Implementation of an Evidence-Based Pain Assessment Protocol in a Nursing Home Setting

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  • March 22, 2019
Creator
  • Hua, Wendy
    • Affiliation: School of Nursing
Abstract
  • Pain is under-recognized and under-treated among nursing-home residents. The lack of standardized protocols for the assessment of pain among this population makes the issue difficult to address. This Doctorate of Nursing Practice project took place on the skilled- and assisted-nursing floors of a continuing care retirement community, aiming to develop an evidence-based pain assessment protocol and educate nursing staff regarding its use. 44% of nurses participated in the face-to-face training program while an additional 13% completed the training online. Chart review and direct observation of shift change was completed at baseline and after implementation to assess the impact of the protocol and training on pain-related documentation and communication. Findings showed that nurses’ knowledge and attitude survey scores, the frequency of pain documentation in the electronic medical record, and the comprehensiveness of pain communication at shift report did not improve post-implementation. However, qualitative improvements were noted in the comprehensiveness of pain documentation post-implementation. Electronic charting limitations, resident cognitive deficits, staff turnover, and difficulty of change were cited by nurses as major barriers. Opportunities for future program improvements are discussed.
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  • Beeber, Anna
  • Wilson, Jen
  • Zomorodi, Meg
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Graduation year
  • 2018
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