Behavioral pain assessment tool for critically ill adults unable to self-report pain.

Background: Critically ill adults often cannot self-report pain.

Objective: To determine the effect of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool on frequency of documentation of pain assessment and administration of analgesics and sedatives in critically ill patients unable to self-report pain.

Methods: Data on patients in 2 intensive care units of a university-affiliated hospital were collected before and after implementation of the tool.

Pain descriptors for critically ill patients unable to self-report.

Aim:   To examine descriptors used by nurses in two Canadian intensive care units to document pain presence for critically ill patients unable to self-report.

Background:   Systematic documentation of pain assessment is essential for communication and continuity of pain management, thereby enabling better pain control, maximizing recovery and reducing physical and psychological sequelae.

Method:   A retrospective, mixed method, having observational design in two Level-III intensive care units of a quaternary academic centre in Toronto, Canada.

Survey of assessment and management of pain for critically ill adults.

Objective: To investigate critical care nurses' current practice and knowledge related to pain assessment and management for critically ill adults able and unable to self-report pain.

Design: Cross sectional self-report survey.

Results: Survey response rate was 57%.