A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Pain Management and Satisfaction in a Trauma Population

An adult trauma center identified pain management as a potential area for improvement. Pain management is at the height of discussion in medical centers across the United States. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and System (HCAHPS) scores relating to pain management were consistently low (<5th percentile). This project was designed to use a collaborative and systematic approach to pain management to improve HCAHPS pain management scores. This is an evaluation of a quality improvement project using a before-and-after design with historical control. Using HCAHPS data to evaluate patients' pain management perceptions, an integrative three-pronged approach was developed and implemented: (1) development of a trauma nurse leadership program, (2) collaboration with pain management providers, and (3) modifications made to the trauma admission order set. Trauma nurse leaders educated patients and families regarding pain management goals and expectations utilizing a standardized script. HCAHPS survey data obtained before and after the intervention showed a significant improvement in patient satisfaction. HCAHPS scores on the three pain questions prior to intervention in Quarters 2 and 3 (Q2-3) 2017 had a mean of less than the 5th percentile. After intervention, HCAHPS scores on the three pain questions improved to a mean of more than the 60th percentile on Q4 2018. Implementation of a pain management strategy involving a three-pronged approach of a dedicated trauma nurse leadership program, collaboration with a pain management team, and evaluation and modification of a trauma admission order set was associated with an improvement in communication about pain with the trauma patients and HCAHPS pain satisfaction scores.