A survey of the nature and perceived impact of quality improvement activities in pain management.

Abstract

We surveyed members of the American Pain Society (APS) to determine if they were engaged in quality assurance or improvement (QA/I) activities. If so, we queried them about the characteristics of these activities and their perceptions of whether their data appear to show improvements, decrements, or no change in pain outcomes. Of the 222 respondents from at least 180 institutions, 201 (91%) reported that their institutions had a continuous improvement program. One hundred forty-three respondents reported having data on at least one of six pain outcomes at two points in time. The majority reported that their data revealed improvements in outcomes. A large number, however, had not collected data on important outcomes, such as pain intensity and patient functioning. Many APS members are collecting longitudinal data, and interpreting the data as revealing improvements in outcomes. There is a need for rigorously controlled assessment of the effects of QA/I programs on pain outcomes.