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How to improve home care pain management processes
Diane Goodman1, Penny B Hiniker, Jane M Paley
1Patient Care Services, Lake Forest Hospital, IL 60045, USA. dgoodman@lakeforesthospital.com
Home Healthcare Nurse
|June 7, 2003
Summary
This article details a process for improving patient pain management when it falls below national benchmarks. The methods described can also help address adverse events using the Outcome-Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) process.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Patient Safety
- Clinical Performance Measurement
Background:
- The ORYX indicator for "managing a patient's pain" was consistently below the national benchmark at one agency.
- Suboptimal pain management affects patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a systematic process for addressing underperforming quality indicators.
- To outline tools and strategies for improving patient pain management.
- To demonstrate the applicability of the process for addressing adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a structured quality improvement (QI) process.
- Data analysis to identify root causes of low performance.
- Development and application of targeted interventions.
- Utilizing the Outcome-Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) framework.
Main Results:
- The described process facilitated a systematic approach to identifying and addressing the gap in pain management.
- Specific tools and interventions were employed to target the identified issues.
- The process proved adaptable for addressing other quality concerns, including adverse events.
Conclusions:
- A structured QI process, incorporating tools and the OBQI framework, can effectively address underperforming healthcare indicators like patient pain management.
- This systematic approach enhances patient safety and quality of care.
- The described methodology offers a scalable solution for quality improvement initiatives.