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Published on: January 18, 2018
Using quality improvement methodology to improve neuropathic pain screening and assessment in patients with cancer
Ellen M Lavoie Smith1, Marie A Bakitas, Peter Homel
1Department Hematology/Oncology, One Medical Center Drive, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center/Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. Ellen.L.Smith@Hitchcock.org
Background:
Quality improvement methodology was used to improve neuropathic pain (NP) screening at a comprehensive cancer center.
Methods:
Nurses participated in educational sessions about screening and assessment. Clinical systems to facilitate documentation of NP severity scores were developed.
Results:
Pretest and posttest score results demonstrated nurse acquisition of new knowledge. A 90% NP screening adherence rate was achieved (N = 3831). Patients with no reported general pain (n = 291) were found to have moderate to severe NP.
Conclusions:
Keys to success are (1) health care professional education and periodic reinforcement of learning and (2) system infrastructure changes.
