Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025
Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
Effects of Repeated Feedback on Pain Documentation: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Salla Grommi1, Ari Voutilainen2, Anne Vaajoki3
1Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Purpose:
The study aimed to determine how pain documentation audits and repeated feedback (REFPAD intervention) affect registered nurses' pain documentation and knowledge, and to discover how background variables relate to such documentation and knowledge.
Design:
A cluster randomized trial.
Methods:
Thirty work units in a university hospital were randomized into intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The intervention group received monthly pain documentation audits and feedback, while the control group received no feedback. A pain knowledge test was conducted in three phases. Data were collected from February to November 2022. A linear mixed model was used to detect the effects of the REFPAD intervention.
Results:
The REFPAD intervention positively affected pain documentation quality, but its statistical significance was lost because of substantial within-unit variation. At baseline, pain documentation quality scores were in intervention 35% and control 38%. After 8 months of feedback, the quality scores were 44% and 43%. The number of pain assessments per patient per day was the only factor that affected pain documentation quality. The REFPAD intervention had no effect on pain knowledge.
Conclusions:
The REFPAD intervention may improve pain documentation quality. A more comprehensive analysis of implementation barriers and facilitators is needed to reduce variations between and within work units.
Clinical Implications:
More focus should be paid to feedback implementation and continuous monitoring of the quality of pain care is recommended.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05373641. Registration date: February 22, 2022.
Related Concept Videos
02:07Blind Procedures
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:26Methods of Documentation IV: Focus Charting
It typically involves three columns for recording information:
01:21Methods of Documentation III: PIE
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
01:11Blinding