Baylor University Medical Center established a pain initiative group in 1996 to research the effectiveness of pain management throughout the hospital. After analyzing 300 patient surveys, the group undertook an intensive program to educate physicians, nurses, and patients regarding newer pain management techniques. The outcome of this educational initiative was reassessed in 2001 based on surveys completed by 100 patients after discharge. Results showed marked improvement in patient education regarding pain management. In 2001, 93% of patients were offered education and choices regarding pain management vs only 36% in 1996. Fewer patients were afraid to "bother" their nurses to ask for pain medication (3% in 2001 vs 14% in 1996). Waiting time for administration of analgesics decreased considerably. The number of patients reporting moderate to severe pain decreased significantly since 1996, yet the overall satisfaction with pain relief remained high and did not change significantly. The overall incidence of patients reporting moderate to severe pain was significantly less at Baylor than the national average. In conclusion, attitudes, misconceptions, and fears about pain management can be changed with intensive educational programs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.