Development and implementation of a pain management program

Perioperative nurses at St Mary's Health Care System, Inc (St Mary's), in Athens, Ga, recognized that some of their postoperative patients did not have an acceptable level of pain control. Based on the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research acute pain management guidelines, they developed and implemented a pain management program. This quality improvement program led to a multidisciplinary effort to maintain each postoperative patient's pain at a level acceptable to that individual. Using a pain level scale, patients are taught to self-report their levels of pain so that medication can be administered appropriately and on a timely basis. A quality improvement team is studying compiled data and anticipates making recommendations about best practices with regard to medication utilization. In September 1995, St Mary's underwent a mock Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations survey. The surveyors were impressed with the quality and content of the pain management program. Suggestions for other facilities that wish to establish pain management programs are included.