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Using quality improvement methodology to improve neuropathic pain screening and assessment in patients with cancer

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Abstract

Background. Quality improvement methodology was used to improve neuropathic pain (NP) screening at a comprehensive cancer center. Methods. Nurses participated in educational sessions about screening and assessment. Clinical systems to facilitate documentation of NP severity scores were developed. Results. Pretest and posttest score results demonstrated nurse acquisition of new knowledge. A 90% NP screening adherence rate was achieved (N=3831). Patients with no reported general pain (n=291) were found to have moderate to severe NP. Conclusions. Keys to success are (1) health care professional education and periodic reinforcement of learning and (2) system infrastructure changes.

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Author notes

  1. Ellen M. Lavoie Smith PHD APRN-BC, AOCN

    Present address: Department Hematology/Oncology, One Medical Center Drive, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center/Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 03756, Lebanon, NH

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY

    Peter Homel PHD & Marilyn Bookbinder PHD, RN

  2. Department Hematology/Oncology, One Medical Center Drive, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center/Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 03756, Lebanon, NH

    Marie A. Bakitas DNSC, ARNP, FAAN, Camilo Fadul MD, Louise Meyer MS, APRN-BC, AOCN & Karen Skalla MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN

Authors
  1. Ellen M. Lavoie Smith PHD APRN-BC, AOCN
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  2. Marie A. Bakitas DNSC, ARNP, FAAN
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  3. Peter Homel PHD
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  4. Camilo Fadul MD
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  5. Louise Meyer MS, APRN-BC, AOCN
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  6. Karen Skalla MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN
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  7. Marilyn Bookbinder PHD, RN
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ellen M. Lavoie Smith PHD APRN-BC, AOCN.

Additional information

Supported by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information, and Research through an unrestricted grant from Genentech, Inc.

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Lavoie Smith, E.M., Bakitas, M.A., Homel, P. et al. Using quality improvement methodology to improve neuropathic pain screening and assessment in patients with cancer. J Canc Educ 24, 135–140 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902854715

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902854715

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