Quality Improvement Guidelines For the Treatment of Acute Pain And Cancer

American Pain Society Quality of Care Committee, JAMA December 20, 1995, (Vol. 274, No 23)

The Quality of Care Committee of the American Pain Society developed and tested implementation of these guidelines to improve treatment outcomes for patients with acute pain and cancer pain. The prototype version was published in 1991 and after testing them, incorporating suggestions, and updating the literature review, the guidelines were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The committee guidelines conclude that “QI programs to improve acute and cancer pain treatment should include five key elements: (1) Assuring that a report of unrelieved pain raises a “red flag” that attracts clinicians' attention; (2) making information about analgesics convenient where orders are written; (3) promising patients responsive analgesic care and urging them to communicate pain; (4) implementing policies and safeguards or the use of modern analgesic technologies; and (5) coordinating and assessing implementation of these measures.”

Reprints of the guidelines are available from the American Pain Society at no cost. To request your copy, complete the on-line information request form or contact:

E-mail: info@ampainsoc.org