Evaluation of a behavioral assessment tool for the individual unable to self-report pain

Assessment of pain intensity using a standard self-reported pain score is standard practice in most institutions. These instruments require the cognitive ability to process the pain intensity into a numeric or descriptive value. Many institutions are considering adopting an assessment tool for cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a clinician-administered assessment tool, PAINAD, in patients with cognitive impairment. Opioid consumption and frequency of documented unknown pain were collected in 2 cognitive impaired groups. In the control group, a self-reporting pain intensity tool was used, and in a second group, the PAINAD was used. Opioid use was significantly higher (P = .003) and the rates of reported unknown pain were significantly lower (P < .01) in the group using the PAINAD instrument compared to the control group of patients with cognitive impairment. There were no noted differences in opioid-induced adverse reactions in either group.