Implementing the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool using the Iowa Model.

Utilization of the Iowa Model of evidence-based practice (EBP) helps to facilitate change in nursing care. This was observed when an alteration in pain-rating assessment scales needed to be implemented at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY Research showed that the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) was psychometrically sound in assessing pain in the nonverbal (unconscious, unresponsive, and sedated) intensive care unit patient population.