Initial testing of a behavioural pain assessment tool within trauma units

Pain is common in trauma patients who may be older and also may have cognitive impairment leading to reduced communication about their pain. A number of observational pain assessment tools are available and have been found to have limited clinical usefulness. The Bolton Pain Assessment Tool (BPAT) was developed following a trial of three established tools and includes a section to involve family and/or close carers in the pain assessment process. The aim of this paper is to present the findings of initial testing of BPAT. BPAT was used and evaluated by clinical staff in four trauma units in the UK. Forty-six staff evaluations were completed and 98% indicated it was easy to use; it took between one and two minutes to complete by 69.5% and led to pain management interventions by 93.5% of the respondents. It was rated highly by the clinical staff, but the involvement of families and close carers in the assessment process was different at each unit, with one unit not involving the family/close carer. There remains the need for a simple and practical way of assessing pain. This initial testing of the clinical feasibility of BPAT suggests that it is easy to use and helps to identify pain, but further testing of its reliability and validity is required.