P17 - Pain Management in the Elderly

Chronic pain is a major medical issue among elderly nursing home residents and is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated (Williamson & Hoggart, 2005). Nurses’ knowledge and efficiency to accurately assess pain and provide appropriate interventions on time is critical to achieve effective pain management. Undertreated pain in the elderly will affect the quality of life and can increase the mortality and morbidity (McCleane, 2010), whereas effective pain management will increase patient satisfaction and enhance quality of life (The Joint Commission, 2001). The aim of this quality improvement project implementing a pre-/post-design was to evaluate the effectiveness of a well-structured in-service education program on comprehensive pain management to improve nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and documentation skills in a long-term care facility. This project focused on pre and post educational program testing utilizing the knowledge and attitude survey regarding pain (KASRP) and a short demographic survey and chart audits to assess knowledge retention and practice change in the participants. Knowledge scores of nurses were measured at pre-intervention and then twice (post-1- and post-2-time points). Results of the non-parametric Friedman test revealed that there was a statistically significant increase in median knowledge scores from pre- to post-1 and post-2. Results of the non-parametric Friedman test revealed that there was a statistically significant increase in median knowledge scores from pre to post-1 and post-2. The findings of this quality improvement project suggest that the intervention of a knowledge-based instructional tool can help nurses increase their knowledge of pain management in patients.  

Learning Outcome: After completing this learning activity, the participant will be able to assess innovations being used by other professionals in the specialty and evaluate the potential of implementing the improvements into practice.