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Evidence‐based practice for pain management for cancer patients in an acute care setting
Author(s) -
Choi Mona,
Kim Hee Sun,
Chung Su Kyoung,
Ahn Mee Jung,
Yoo Jae Yong,
Park Ok Sun,
Woo So Rah,
Kim So Sun,
Kim Sun Ah,
Oh Eui Geum
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12122
Subject(s) - audit , medicine , cancer pain , pain assessment , clinical audit , medline , clinical practice , nursing , baseline (sea) , pain management , physical therapy , cancer , oceanography , management , geology , political science , law , economics
The purpose of this study is to implement an evidence utilization project using an audit and feedback approach to improve cancer pain management. A three‐phased audit and feedback approach was used. A 46‐bed oncology nursing unit in the university's cancer centre was selected as a research site. Nursing records extracted from 137 patients (65 for the baseline assessment and 72 for the follow‐up audit) were used to examine nurse compliance with four audit criteria derived from best practice guidelines related to the assessment and management of pain. We observed a significant improvement in compliance from baseline to follow‐up for the following criteria: documenting the side effects of opioids (2–83%), use of a formalized pain assessment tool (22–75%), and providing education for pain assessment and management to patients and caregivers (0–47%). The audit and feedback method was applicable to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines for cancer pain management. Leadership from both administrative personnel and staff nurses working together contributes to the spread of an evidence‐based practice culture in clinical settings. As it was conducted in a single oncology nursing unit and was implemented over a short period of time, the results should be carefully interpreted.