Pain Screening
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
|
|
ADVANTAGES OF OUR PAIN SCREENING TOOL
With its yes/no format, our interview tool is particularly appropriate for use with cognitively impaired residents, many of whom would be unable to respond to the commonly used 10-point pain rating scale (where 0 represents "no pain at all" and 10 signifies "the worst pain I have ever experienced") or even a visual scale with different facial expressions (10, 11). In our study, 83% of all of the participating residents completed the interview's four questions.
Equally important, this screening interview can be conducted by both nurses and certified nurse aides. It is a screening, not a clinical assessment, which would exclude nurse aides from completing it. It is intended to simply detect the presence of pain. Further assessment by a licensed nurse is needed to evaluate pain intensity, location, quality, and associated symptoms.
Because nurse aides can wield it, this screening interview is a powerful tool for change. By virtue of their constant contact with residents, nurse aides are arguably in the best position to detect pain in this population. Whenever they suspect its presence, they can ask the resident our four questions and quickly confirm or dispel their hunch. No resident need wait for a scheduled assessment such as the MDS to report pain. If the interview confirms pain presence, the aide should immediately report the results to the nurse, who should conduct a comprehensive assessment.
(prev | next)
|
|
|
