Increasing Patient Participation in Comfort & Pain ControlIncreasing Patient Participation in Comfort & Pain Control

Project DescriptionProject Description Our always eventOur always event - - The patient The patient will ALWAYS be offered options for will ALWAYS be offered options for pain & comfort, and the patient & pain & comfort, and the patient & caregiver will ALWAYS decide the caregiver will ALWAYS decide the comfort plan together.comfort plan together.

Idea/Inspiration Idea/Inspiration –– When treating patient’s pain, it is too When treating patient’s pain, it is too

often a routine offering of pain meds, often a routine offering of pain meds, followed by a repeat of more of the followed by a repeat of more of the same. same.

We are missing the discussion that We are missing the discussion that includes the patient, other options, includes the patient, other options, what works for them at home, what what works for them at home, what can we combine with pain meds to can we combine with pain meds to help, etc. help, etc.

At the same time, neither patients At the same time, neither patients nor caregivers can be expected to nor caregivers can be expected to think of, or remember, all the options think of, or remember, all the options that are available. that are available.

We needed a tool to help.We needed a tool to help.

Tool Tool – A menu to be used with – A menu to be used with each pain assessment. Offering 6 each pain assessment. Offering 6 ‘courses’…‘courses’…

Comfort itemsComfort itemsMedication optionsMedication optionsComfort actionsComfort actionsPersonal Care itemsPersonal Care itemsRelaxation optionsRelaxation optionsKeep boredom at bayKeep boredom at bay

Wendy Rockey, RN, CV Director. Scott Whittal, RN, Clinical ManagerMichele King, RN, Shift Coordinator. 3NS Patient Satisfaction Improvement Team

3NS South – Interventional Telemetry Unit Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Denver, Colorado

OutcomesOutcomes• Have spread menu to 3 tele units. Continue to work on consistent use of the tool. Have spread menu to 3 tele units. Continue to work on consistent use of the tool. • Initial data shows increasing patient-satisfaction score for pain. Goal of >82 yet to be Initial data shows increasing patient-satisfaction score for pain. Goal of >82 yet to be

attained. attained. • Tele staff report that the tool is helping think of all the options & facilitate the conversationTele staff report that the tool is helping think of all the options & facilitate the conversation• Patient feedback has been positive. One patient said “it’s like a spa”. Patient feedback has been positive. One patient said “it’s like a spa”. • Next Steps: House-wide spreadNext Steps: House-wide spread •

Always Event Challenge

-Picker Institute-

• Dr. Tom James article

June 2010

• “Always Event” = ““Those aspects of the patient and Family Those aspects of the patient and Family

experience that should always occur experience that should always occur when patients interact with Healthcare when patients interact with Healthcare professionals & the delivery system”.professionals & the delivery system”.

• Picker Institute awarded 21 grants for Picker Institute awarded 21 grants for always event ideas. always event ideas. ESJH/3NS/CV ESJH/3NS/CV received one of these grants in the received one of these grants in the amount of $9,920.amount of $9,920.