Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2730407 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2010 17 Pages PDF
Abstract

The aim of this study was to report on current provider evidence-based assessment and treatment practices for older adults with cancer in community-based hospice settings. Using the Cancer Pain Practices Index, a tool developed by the researchers to measure evidence-based pain management practices, patients received an average of 32% of those key evidence-based practices (EBPs) that were applicable to their situations. When examining individual practices, most of the patients had their pains assessed at admission using a valid pain scale (69.7%) and had primary components of a comprehensive assessment completed at admission (52.7%); most patients with admission reports of pain had an order for pain medication (83.5%). However, data revealed a number of practice gaps, including additional components of a comprehensive assessment completed within 48 hours of admission (0%); review of the pain treatment plan at each reassessment (35.7%); reassessment of moderate or greater pain (5.3%); consecutive pain reports of 5 or greater followed by increases in pain medication (15.8%); monitoring of analgesic-induced side effects (19.3%); initiation of a bowel regimen for patients with an opioid order (32.3%); and documentation of both nonpharmacological therapies (22.5%) and written pain management plans (0.6%). Findings highlight positive EBPs and areas for improving the translation of EBPs into practice. Data suggest that cancer pain is not being documented as consistently assessed, reassessed, or treated in a manner consistent with current EBP recommendations for older adults with cancer in community-based hospices.

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