Evaluating the effectiveness of a hospital's pain management program

Nationally, the focus on facilities providing effective pain management has increased, yet no funds have been allocated to pain management programs. The article describes a 3-year study whose purpose was to evaluate the effect on nurses' attitudes and behavior of the institution of a multifaceted, low-cost hospital pain management program. The program utilized various instructional methods and implementation of policies, procedures, and documentation protocols. Nurses were surveyed before and after the pain management program using the 39-item Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. Results demonstrated a statistically significant increase between pretest and posttest scores.